Apparently, Intel already confirmed that Rocket lake still supports DDR4. But I expect the number of boards to support DDR4 to be more rare than with Alder Lake

It wouldn't surprise me if that's the case. Having DDR4 and DDR5 boards is a lot more work for them and they would gladly scrap some of them. It wouldn't surprise me if the Z790 boards are all DDR5 only, while leaving DDR4 for the B760 and lower boards.

Samsung Display Says Its QD-OLED Panel Yield Has Reached 75%

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=90912

Pretty crazy yield gains in such a short time. It was 30% back in February.

I Love QD-OLED, But EVERYONE Is Wrong about Samsung S95B's Brightness & Colours

Essentially Samsung has been rigging their tests on their QD-OLED TVs. Now this doesn't apply to QD-OLED in general as other companies like Sony that have been using QD-OLED from Samsung has tuned theirs correctly. However with Samsung TVs, when you turn on Filmmaker mode which is supposed to make the scenes be as accurate as possible relative to the film makers intent, the colors and brightness are only accurate when measuring industry standards such as 10% window. But when you break out of the industry standards such as setting a custom 9% window, it's very inaccurate.

The biggest issue with this is that for people to have find out what the film makers intent was is to spend money on a $30,000 reference monitor and compare the differences between the Samsung QD-OLED tvs and the Reference monitor. So a lot of the comparisons between QD-OLED and LG's OLED tvs shows inaccuracies where the Samsung looks brighter with more pop but in fact, that's because LG's OLED TVs are following the accuracy curve while Samsung TVs are creating artificial colours to exaggerate the experience. Now there are modes for this where it's acceptable like out of the box but Film Maker mode was supposed to be the accurate mode according to Samsung but instead, it's only accurate in certain, reviewer friendly conditions. QD-OLED's advantages vs WRGB OLED are still legit, just a shame Samsung went the shady route with their TVs unlike Sony who uses the exact same panels.

Dell defends its controversial new laptop memory

https://www.pcworld.com/article/693366/dell-defends-its-controversial-new-laptop-memory.html

So they have been working with Intel and JEDEC to make CAMM happen and it won't be "proprietary". Initially only Dell precision laptops will have this but as they are coming out with an industry standard, they are hoping other companies will adopt it. The main thing it solves is the bandwidth problem of SODIMM which when running 128GB of RAM, can run at 4000 mhz where as with CAMM, it can run at 4800 mhz. They will also have a SODIMM module option in the future for their laptops as well including the Precision laptop. There are a lot more to it if you want to read it as it is interesting however this isn't something that's open source either as anyone that wants to invest in CAMM will need to pay royalties to Dell as it's patented.

Netflix Aims to Have 50 Mobile Games Available by the End of 2022

https://wccftech.com/netflix-aims-to-have-50-mobile-games-available-by-the-end-of-2022/

Intel Arc A770 desktop card spotted alongside unreleased graphics driver

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-arc-a770-desktop-card-spotted-alongside-unreleased-graphics-driver

Galactic Civilizations IV is Now Available
https://www.stardock.com/news/511718/galactic-civilizations-iv-is-now-available
Stardock released Galactic Civilizations IV today. The newest installment of the award-winning space 4X strategy sandbox game series takes the best of what its predecessors had to offer and adds new features like multi-sector maps, the ability to customize your civilization mid-game via policies, internal factions, a unique mission/quest system, and so much more.

New Utawarerumono Game Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs for PS5, PS4, & PC Gets Release Date & English Localization
https://twinfinite.net/2022/04/utawarerumono-monochrome-mobius-rights-and-wrongs-release/
Today Aquaplus and Shiravune announced the release date of the next Utawarerumono game “Monochrome Mobius: Toki no Taika”, titled in English “Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs”. You’ve heard it right, the game will be released in English on day one by Shiravune. It’ll launch on September 8 for PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. At the moment, it actually isn’t known whether the English version will come to PS5 and PS4, but the PC version is confirmed by Shiravune.
>>Steam page is up.

Soul Hackers 2 for PS5, PS4, Xbox, & PC Gets New Trailers Showing Characters, Dungeons, Thunderbird, & More
https://twinfinite.net/2022/04/soul-hackers-2-trailers-characters-thunderbird/
Atlus released not one, but two trailers of the upcoming JRPG Soul Hackers 2, showcasing more elements of the game.

Ubisoft Shuts Down Online Services For 90 Older Games
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ubisoft-shuts-down-online-services-for-90-older-games/1100-6502780/
Ubisoft has shut down online services for 90 games across multiple platforms. The game's will still remain playable and offline features for each game should still function as normal. Ubisoft notes that in-game news and player statistics in each affected game have also been disabled. For any of the games that used Ubisoft Connect services, units and challenges have been disabled. What Ubisoft describes as "ULC" (Unlockable Content) such as additional maps or skins in all of the affected games have been disabled as well, without a new means to unlock them. PC players who have previously unlocked such content will be locked out of it, while console players can still enjoy the unlocked content unless save game files for that particular game are reset.

Activision Blizzard Loses 60 Million Monthly Active Users In Past Year
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-blizzard-loses-60-million-monthly-active-users-in-past-year/1100-6502758/
Activision Blizzard has released its latest quarterly financial report, and the numbers were not good for the publisher, with revenue, player numbers, and Call of Duty unit sales all coming in lower than before.

Edit:

Sega to delist original ‘Sonic’ games ahead of ‘Sonic Origins’
https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/sega-to-delist-original-sonic-games-ahead-of-sonic-origins-3212955
Sega has announced that it will be delisting the digital versions of several original Sonic The Hedgehog games, ahead of their re-release as part of the Sonic Origins collection.
>>Steam links: Sonic The Hedgehog 1, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD.

Oof. This is why I rarely look outside Steam on PC for Storefronts.

As for Activision Blizzard.. Not that surprised Shadowlands dropped off after the first couple of months and CoD Vanguard was DoA. They do have a new expansion coming this year and WoLK for Classic WoW, which should boost numbers at the end of the year. I wonder if its a downward trend if the expansion doesn't deliver and the same goes for CoD (whatever the next one is).

And of those, 50 are from CoD:

Call of Duty has lost 50 million players in a year
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/call-of-duty-has-lost-50-million-players-in-a-year/
Call of Duty is bleeding players. According to Activision's first 2022 investor report published today, users across Call of Duty games plummeted throughout 2021 and into 2022. The series, which in 2021 reached 150 million monthly active users thanks to Call of Duty: Warzone's immense popularity, has steadily lost 50 million players in a year.

The news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Steam has some new deals, including the new weeklong deals:

• The daily deal is Katamari Damacy REROLL, 67% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/848350/Katamari_Damacy_REROLL/
• The new daily deal is the Sam&Max Save the World + Beyond Time and Space Bundle, 36% off during 24 hours: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/24043/Save_the_World__Beyond_Time_and_Space_Bundle/
• The first Midweek Madness deal is Skater XL - The Ultimate Skateboarding Game, 20% off until Thursday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/962730/Skater_XL__The_Ultimate_Skateboarding_Game/
• The Walking Dead games are between 20 and 60% off until the 28th: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/walkingdeadanniversarysale
• Publisher Versus Evil puts its games up to 90% off until Thursday, 28: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/VersusEvil
• Road 96 gets a 30% discount until April 29: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1466640/Road_96/
• The ALIEN Day Sale features up to 80% discounts until the 2nd of May: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/alienday
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition will be 50% off until May 9: https://store.steampowered.com/app/814380/Sekiro_Shadows_Die_Twice__GOTY_Edition/
• And these are some of the weeklong deals:
  • The Early Access title NavalArt is 20% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/842780/NavalArt/
  • 天命奇御二 Fate Seeker II gets a 30% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1559390/_Fate_Seeker_II/
  • Fugl (Pájaro), still in Early Access, is half its price: https://store.steampowered.com/app/643810/Fugl_Pjaro/
  • Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency gets a 75% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1092430/Budget_Cuts_2_Mission_Insolvency/
  • And Enigmatis: The Ghosts of Maple Creek is 90% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/284750/Enigmatis_The_Ghosts_of_Maple_Creek/

The Humble Store has two new sales:

• Raw Fury puts its games up to 75% off during 3 days. There are keys for Steam, EGS and one for download: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/raw-fury-publisher-sale/
• The Alien Day Sale features up to 80% discounts during the next 6 days. All the keys are for Steam: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/alien-day/
• And 1C Entertainment puts its games up to 90% off during 6 days. All the keys are for Steam: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/1c-entertainment-publisher-sale/

Fanatical also has an Alien Day Sale, with up to 84% discounts for the next 6 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/franchises/alien.

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

AMD (Radeon) Software Adrenalin 22.4.2
https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/release-notes/rn-rad-win-22-4-2
Support For

• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt™.

Fixed Issues

• Display mode of 4K 120Hz may be missing on some FreeSync™ displays using some AMD Graphics Products such as Radeon™ RX 5700 XT.

NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 512.59 WHQL
https://videocardz.com/driver/nvidia-geforce-game-ready-512-59-whql
Support For

• Dune: Spice Wars
• Chernobylite ray tracing
• DLSS: JX3 Online
• Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Elden Ring enemy randomizer mod replaces Margit with someone far more sinister
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/elden-ring-enemy-randomizer-mod/
Elden Ring's modding scene is off to a promising start. After weeks of simple reskins and small technical fixes popping up on Nexus Mods, we're starting to see mods that meaningfully transform the game. Modder Matt Gruen is one of the creators at the forefront, so far putting out an extensive key item randomizer mod. His next project is a randomizer for enemies, and it looks like a doozy.
Gruen shared a sneak peek of the enemy randomizer on Twitter, demonstrating its chaotic potential by rolling into Margit, The Fell Omen's boss fight and instead finding Starscourge Radahn, a mid-game boss who's meant to be fought once the player has (at least) beefed up their Vigor a bit. Not only does Radahn hit incredibly hard compared to Margit, but his intrusion on the bridge outside Stormveil Castle is a spacing nightmare.

FarCry Returns is an upcoming unofficial sequel to the first Far Cry game
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/farcry-returns-is-an-upcoming-unofficial-sequel-to-the-first-far-cry-game/
Modder ‘Leonj_’ is currently working on a total conversion mod for the first Far Cry game, called FarCry Returns. FarCry Returns promises to be an unofficial sequel to the game, and below you can find its key features.
According to the modder, FarCry Returns will come with some new mechanics. Moreover, it will pack new sounds, new graphics and new animations. Players can also expect a new universal and original story with disclosure of the inside of the universe and the structure of the “system“.

Block Quake is the ultimate LEGO Mod for id Software’s classic FPS
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/block-quake-is-the-ultimate-lego-mod-for-id-software-classic-fps/
Modder ‘Kebby_Quake’ has released a must-have mod for id Software’s classic first-person shooter, Quake. As the title suggests, Block Quake changes the game’s art style and turns it into a LEGO game. And, honestly, it looks AWESOME.
Going into more details, Block Quake adds blocky themed characters, enemies and boss models. It also replaces the game’s textures and animations. Moreover, it brings blocky themed weapon pickups, weapon model textures and animations. Players can also expect blocky themed ammo, armor, items, projectiles, props and powerup models (+BSP models). And lastly, there is a blocky themed test map for you to play.
Now what’s also cool here is that you can combine Block Quake with most Vanilla styled mods. As such, you can replay and re-experience most Quake mods with a completely different art style.

Elden Ring mod turns the game's first merchant into a one-stop shop
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/elden-ring-mod-turns-the-games-first-merchant-into-a-one-stop-shop/
Merchant Kale is the first NPC you meet in Elden Ring that sells stuff: he's the dude you find just north of the Limgrave site of grace. Kale obviously sells low-level items, and you can later learn a gesture for him, and there's not all that much reason to return to him later—until now, that is.
(...)
Clearly something along these lines happened to modder Vawser, who has had enough of Elden Ring's parsimonious ways, and has now released the Grand Merchant mod. This "grants easy access to all items via Merchant Kale, similar to Honest Merchant from DS3. Everything is craftable for free." It will also let you get hold of spells and gestures from Kale.

GAMING NEWS

Grand Theft Auto 5 April 26th Update adds Enhanced Edition files to PC
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/grand-theft-auto-5-april-26th-update-adds-enhanced-edition-files-to-pc/
Rockstar has just released a brand new update for Grand Theft Auto 5 on all platforms. And although the team has not revealed its complete changelog, it has added some Enhanced Edition files to the PC version.

The news 2:

Apex Legends' next hero is Newcastle, a shield-bearing Robocop
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/apex-legends-next-hero-is-newcastle-a-shield-bearing-robocop/
Apex Legends is finally getting its knight in shining armour with shield-bearing soldier Newcastle prepares to become the game's 21st legend next season, Savior.
Newcastle (not to be confused with, err, the northern English city) was revealed in a new trailer, revealing him to be Bangalore's long-lost brother Jackson. That's somewhat complicated by the fact that, according to recent story events, Jackson is supposed to be dead. Considering that chrome visor, though, I reckon some Robocop shenanigans may be afoot.

How to get Overwatch 2 beta access with Twitch drops
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/overwatch-2-beta-twitch-drops/
Overwatch 2's first beta begins on April 26 and you'll be able to get access to it by watching specific streamers like Pokimane, Seagull, and others on Twitch, according to Blizzard's new blog post. Even if you don't own the base game, which is required to play the beta, you'll be granted a free trial to it that lasts until the beta ends on May 17.

Hungry? These two new cooking sims let you kill and cook your customers
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/hungry-these-two-new-cooking-sims-let-you-kill-and-cook-your-customers/
(...)
Two new cooking sims caught my watchful eye this week, mainly because they have one gruesome gimmick in common. In both games, you use an unconventional method to fill your kitchen with delicious meat: You murder your customers and use them as ingredients in the meals you serve. Gross, yes. But I can't deny the appeal of saving money on butcher bills.

Elden Ring dataminer sheds more light on the Lands Between's mysterious coliseums
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/elden-ring-dataminer-sheds-more-light-on-the-lands-betweens-mysterious-coliseums/
Elden Ring dataminer Sekiro Dubi has dug further into those massive, inaccessible arenas dotted throughout the Lands Between first highlighted by fellow Souls hacker Lance McDonald. Sekiro Dubi restored a Site of Grace and some enemies slated for the areas, shedding more light on their intended use.

Final Fantasy creator asks Square Enix what's up with new $11,600 statue
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/final-fantasy-creator-asks-square-enix-whats-up-with-new-dollar11600-statue/
There's liking Final Fantasy, and then there's liking Final Fantasy enough to buy a nearly $12,000 Final Fantasy statue. It's a staggering amount of money for a videogame collectible, but Square Enix apparently believes at least 600 Final Fantasy fans have that kind of cash to burn, based on its newly unveiled statue based on FF6.
(...)
My favorite reaction to Square Enix's announcement of the Tera statue came from series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, who seemed pretty shocked by the price.

Dying Light 2 is getting a new game+ mode this week
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dying-light-2-is-getting-a-new-game-mode-this-week/
Two months after its initial release, Dying Light 2 is getting a new game plus mode in an upcoming patch.
Techland's adding the feature as part of update 1.3.0 which is due to land on April 27. It'll give players the opportunity to gun down zombies and stylishly leap across the environment all over again, this time with any equipment and skills accrued throughout their original playthrough. Nightrunners tools like the grappling hook and paraglider will need to be picked up again, which producer Julia Szynkaruk says is so it doesn't "break the flow of the game."

Dr. Dre initially turned down GTA Online because 'I don't make things for kids'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dr-dre-initially-turned-down-gta-online-because-i-dont-make-things-for-kids/
Late last year GTA Online added The Contract, a bunch of new story content bringing back one of the main GTA 5 protagonists Franklin and debuting new music from the legendary rapper and producer Dr. Dre. This followed a brief Dre cameo in 2021's Cayo Perico update, but according to a new interview with DJ Pooh the whole shebang barely happened: because Dre said "I don't make things for kids."

Fortnite is adding even more Street Fighter characters with Sakura and Blanka
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/fortnite-is-adding-even-more-street-fighter-characters-with-sakura-and-blanka/
As if four Street Fighter characters in Fortnite wasn't enough, Sakura and Blanka are now making their way over to the battle royale, complete with some surprisingly suave alternative costumes.

(AM4)