And here comes the third, short and last, part of the news:

Cities: Skylines 2 devs are investigating faster patches and a fix for the 'huge' packs of abandoned feral dogs
https://www.pcgamer.com/cities-skylines-2-devs-are-investigating-faster-patches-and-a-fix-for-the-huge-packs-of-abandoned-feral-dogs/
Cities: Skylines 2 released in a less than ideal state, and most of the talk around the game has centred around how Colossal Order intends to fix various issues with the game's performance. Now, the studio has resumed its weekly "CO Word of the Week" feature—last sighted in 2018—to keep players updated on its progress. Specifically, at least for the first post, its progress on garbage patches and roaming gangs of stray dogs. What's going on over there, you guys?
>> By the way, the editor tools look better than the original ones.

Atari acquires retro specialists Digital Eclipse in deal worth up to $20 million
https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-acquires-retro-specialists-digital-eclipse-in-deal-worth-up-to-dollar20-million/
Atari has announced it has reached an agreement to buy Digital Eclipse, a studio based in Emeryville, California that specialises in "digital restoration of classic games." The move follows Atari's acquisition of Nightdive Studios in May this year, another studio with a retro focus that most recently developed the System Shock remake, and is all part of what the press release calls Atari's "retro-focused growth strategy."
>> Where do they get the money from to make this purchases?

Disney Dreamlight Valley finally announces 'ValleyVerse' multiplayer coming in December
https://www.pcgamer.com/disney-dreamlight-valley-finally-announces-valleyverse-multiplayer-coming-in-december/
Though we'd known for some time that Disney Dreamlight Valley had plans to incorporate multiplayer in its cozy social sim, Gameloft has been quite tight-lipped on the details—until now. In its digital showcase today, Dreamlight Valley unveiled all sorts of updates coming to the game over the next year: a first game expansion, lots more free realms and villagers, and those long-awaited multiplayer details. And, as promised in the original 2023 roadmap, multiplayer is landing before the end of this year.

63 corpses lie at the feet of WoW Classic Hardcore permadeath tournament winner as he claims $50,000 prize
https://www.pcgamer.com/63-corpses-lie-at-the-feet-of-wow-classic-hardcore-permadeath-tournament-winner-as-he-claims-dollar50000-prize/
This Halloween, dozens of corpses were scattered throughout a massive arena where 64 players dueled to the death in World of Warcraft Classic Hardcore's deadliest tournament: the OTK Network's Hardcore Mak'gora Event. The competition had WoW Classic players spend October leveling up new characters before battling each other to the death (permadeath, since this is a Hardcore server) for a cash prize of $50,000.

Greg Street, who quit working on the League of Legends MMO to do 'something new,' has revealed that the new thing is another MMO
https://www.pcgamer.com/greg-street-who-quit-working-on-the-league-of-legends-mmo-to-do-something-new-has-revealed-that-the-new-thing-is-another-mmo/
Former Riot Games vice president Greg Street was heading up development of the studio's long-awaited League of Legends MMO when he announced earlier this year that he was leaving the company, saying that "it's time for something new." Apparently that "something new" is a new MMO, as he revealed today that he's launched a new studio with Netease called Fantastic Pixel Castle, and that its first project will be a big-budget MMO.

Baldur's Gate 3's latest patch has over 1,000 fixes—but most importantly, it lets you buy a butt-naked statue of yourself
https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3s-latest-patch-has-over-1000-fixesbut-most-importantly-it-lets-you-buy-a-butt-naked-statue-of-yourself/
Baldur's Gate 3 just received its fourth major patch. Once more, the thing's big enough to break the Steam notes. While there aren't any new major features—like the third patch's appearance-changing mirror or, equally as important, letting small characters kiss Karlach—it's still packed with changes.
>> Oh! And they've added FSR 2.2.

The annoying thing about the 7800X3D that I found is that because it's so efficient, my room doesn't get hot during the cold days. I knew I should have bought Intel

Well, at least you got a 4090 to make up for AMD's silly decision to make an efficient CPU.

AMD FSR Technology Reportedly Coming To Next-Gen Samsung & Qualcomm Smartphones

https://wccftech.com/amd-fsr-technology-reportedly-coming-to-next-gen-samsung-qualcomm-smartphones/

AMD releases new Adrenalin 23.11.1 driver for Polaris and Vega, first in two months

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-releases-new-adrenalin-23-11-1-driver-for-polaris-and-vega-first-in-two-months

Intel Xeon W-2500 HEDT/workstation “Sapphire Rapids Refresh” specs have been leaked

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-xeon-w-2500-hedt-workstation-sapphire-rapids-refresh-specs-have-been-leaked

The Friday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

It arrives a bit late, but the Humble Store has launched its Halloween Festival 2023, with a lot of games on sale during the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/humble-halloween-festival-2023/.

Fanatical has three new 24 hours Flash Deals:

• Hell Let Loose gets a 47% discount: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/hell-let-loose
• Far Cry® 6 Game of the Year Edition will be 74% off. The keys is for UbiConnect: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/far-cry-6-game-of-the-year-edition
• The third one is the Survivalist Double Pack, with a 94% discount: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/survivalist-double-pack

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 23.11.1
https://videocardz.com/driver/amd-radeon-software-adrenalin-23-11-1
Highlights

New Game Support

• Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III
• Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
• The Invincible
• JX3 Ultimate

New Radeon™ Boost Support

• Alan Wake 2

AI and Machine Learning

• DirectML improvements and optimizations for Stable Diffusion, Adobe Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, UL Procyon AI workloads on AMD Radeon RX 600M, 700M, 6000, and 7000 series graphics.

Fixed Issues

• Performance Metrics Overlay may report N/A for FPS on various games.
• Lower than expected performance in Counter Stike 2 on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 7600.
• Intermittent flickering may be observed in Total War: Pharaoh’s menus after changing graphics settings.
• Intermittent flicker may be observed on some textures while playing Alan Wake 2.
• Rebuilding shader cache may be incorrectly required when relaunching Baldur’s Gate 3 using Vulkan® API.
• Rebuilding shader cache may be incorrectly required when relaunching Forza Motorsport.
• Intermittent driver crash while viewing the credits screen after finishing a race in Forza Motorsport.
• Intermittent black screen or code 31 error in device manager after reboot on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 6700 XT.

NVIDIA GeForce Hotfix Driver 546.08 fixes performance degradation issues in Alan Wake 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-geforce-hotfix-driver-546-08-fixes-performance-degradation-issues-in-alan-wake-2/
NVIDIA just put out a new driver for its graphics cards, the NVIDIA GeForce Hotfix Driver 546.08. This driver is all about making Alan Wake 2 run better and smoother. It takes care of the problems that could slowly mess up its performance. So, if you’re currently playing Remedy’s horror game, we suggest downloading it.
The new driver does more than just help with Alan Wake 2. It also takes care of problems with the Windows 10 transparency effects, and it stops a random Bugcheck issue on some computers. So, if you’ve had these issues, it’s a good idea to update your driver.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

New Dark Souls 2 Mod increases view distance and reduces/eliminates LOD texture pop-ins
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/new-dark-souls-2-mod-increases-view-distance-and-reduces-eliminates-lod-texture-pop-ins/
Modder ‘libretro’ has released an amazing new graphics mod for the second part of the Dark Souls series, Dark Souls 2. The Scholar Of The First Sin InfiniDetail aims to eliminate texture LOD pop-in and greatly increase draw distance.
According to the modder, the mod takes a conservative and disciplined approach. It does not seek to alter the game’s look, it does not add additional lighting, it does not remove spot lights or remove baked shadows. As such, it will be ideal for all Dark Souls 2 purists out there.
Right now, The First Sin InfiniDetail mod does two cool things. First, it gets rid of the distance texture changes, making everything look smooth. Second, it lets you see stuff from far away without it suddenly popping up. Plus, it shows some things you couldn’t see before in some of the game’s environments.
In future updates, the modder wants to make faraway enemies move at their normal speed. Right now, all distant enemies move at half rate. This is a feature I’m really looking forward to. Also, libretro is working on making light beams and shadows look even better from a distance.
The modder also plans to make similar mods for other games by FromSoftware. Right now, we can expect to see such mods for Sekiro and Dark Souls Remastered.
>> There are no screenshots nor videos about it.

Here's a new 25 minute Skyblivion video, including a walkthrough of one if its biggest quests
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-new-25-minute-skyblivion-video-shows-the-spooky-side-of-a-reimagined-cyrodiil/
Skyblivion, the ambitious mod recreating The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in Skyrim's engine, has released a new video showing the dark and spooky side of Cyrodiil. Sure, the video was posted a day late for Halloween—or 364 days early for next Halloween—but who cares? I'm always excited to get another eyeful of the mod's progress.

New Starfield Mod brings photorealistic eyes to all characters
https://www.dsogaming.com/pc-performance-analyses/new-starfield-mod-brings-photorealistic-eyes-to-all-characters/
Modder UFR released a fantastic new mod for Bethesda’s latest space-themed RPG, Starfield. This mod gives all the in-game characters incredibly realistic and lifelike eyes. So, since you’ll be spending a lot of time interacting with these characters in the game, we strongly suggest giving this mod a try.
Going into more detail, the mod transforms the way eyes look in Starfield. It makes them look super realistic with beautiful textures and lifelike reflections. In simple terms, this means that characters in the game won’t have weird, watery, or strange-looking eyes anymore. Plus, UFR has hand-made pretty much all of them.
>> The article has some screenshots to show the new eyes.

GAMING NEWS

Lords of the Fallen Patch v1.1.282 released, featuring over 100 fixes, tweaks and enhancements
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/lords-of-the-fallen-patch-v1-1-282-released-featuring-over-100-fixes-tweaks-and-enhancements/
Hexworks has released a new major update for its latest Souls-like game, Lords of the Fallen. According to the developers, Patch v1.1.282 packs over 100 fixes, tweaks, and enhancements. So, keep reading to find out what’s new.

Cities Skylines 2 just got its second performance update
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/cities-skylines-2-just-got-its-second-performance-update/
Colossal Order has just launched the second performance update for its newest city-building game, Cities Skylines 2. This update is all about making the game run smoother by adding several improvements. So, let’s take a look at what’s changed and what’s better.

Genshin Impact Patch 4.2 releases on November 8th and here are its key features
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/genshin-impact-patch-4-2-releases-on-november-8th-and-here-are-its-key-features/
miHoYo has announced that Patch 4.2 for Genshin Impact will release on November 8th, and shared its key features. Additionally, the team released a new trailer which you can find below.
>> PCGamer has the codes from the livestream.

Friday news, part two:

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree development is 'proceeding smoothly' but sorry, there's still no release date
https://www.pcgamer.com/elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-development-is-proceeding-smoothly-but-sorry-theres-still-no-release-date/
It's been the better part of a year since the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Edrtree expansion was announced, and we've heard nothing of note about it since. The most recent financial report out of FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa brings both good news and bad on that front, which can be summed up in a single brief sentence: It's coming along nicely.

The next Sims 4 expansion finally adds functional apartments but also eviction anxiety and malicious mold
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-next-sims-4-expansion-finally-adds-functional-apartments-but-also-eviction-anxiety-and-malicious-mold/
The next major Sims 4 DLC has been revealed, and this expansion pack is giving me serious whiplash. The For Rent expansion brings the long-requested ability to build true multi-family lots in The Sims 4, which I am absolutely psyched for—though the grim realities of deadly mold and housing anxiety are also along for the ride. For Rent is out on December 7 for you to begin fulfilling your dark dreams of landlordship.

Bungie issues statement to Destiny community following layoffs: 'We know we have lost a lot of your trust'
https://www.pcgamer.com/bungie-issues-statement-to-destiny-community-following-layoffs-we-know-we-have-lost-a-lot-of-your-trust/
Following surprise layoffs earlier this week that saw a number of well-loved veteran employees put out of work, Destiny studio Bungie has released a statement acknowledging that it has "lost a lot of your trust" but says that it remains "intensely focused on exceeding your expectations" with the upcoming Destiny 2 expansion The Final Shape.

Baldur's Gate 3's new patch made its thirstiest companion slower to warm up to you, with dire consequences for its beloved Sex% speedrun category
https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3s-new-patch-made-its-thirstiest-companion-slower-to-warm-up-to-you-with-dire-consequences-for-its-beloved-sex-speedrun-category/
"For Lae'zel to decide to romance you, you no longer only need to gain high enough approval from her," reads one entry for Baldur's Gate 3's fourth major patch. "You must also have proven yourself worthy through your actions." Sounds reasonable enough, but there's a catch: an entire speedrun category has been irrevocably altered. RIP Sex%.
>> Sadly, the patch also introduces an inconvenient bug(?) with Astarion.

Payday 3's long-overdue first patch is live: 'We’re finally up and running as things should be'
https://www.pcgamer.com/payday-3s-long-overdue-first-patch-is-live-were-finally-up-and-running-as-things-should-be/
It took a whole lot longer than anyone expected (or reasonably thought possible), but the first Payday 3 patch is finally here. Developer Starbreeze says the update makes "a massive amount of fixes to make your heisting a smoother experience," and that the instability issues players have been dealing with since the game launched in September are finally fixed.

A mobile dev is taking a chance on one of PC's most hardcore genres: a realistic military sim
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-mobile-dev-is-taking-a-chance-on-one-of-pcs-most-hardcore-genres-a-realistic-military-sim/
ARMA has been the king of absurdly deep milsims for about as long as I can remember, and it is very secure in its reign. Try as I might, I can't recall many games that ever really tried to challenge ARMA's dominance of the hardcore simulation realm, but now someone else has decided to give it a try. Gray Zone Warfare is the just-announced first foray into PC gaming from Madfinger Games—the mobile dev behind iOS and Android series like Shadowgun Legends and Dead Trigger—and bills itself as "an immersive tactical first-person shooter with a maximum focus on realism."

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's 213GB storage hogging is because of 'open world Zombies' but don't panic it can be reduced
https://www.pcgamer.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3s-213gb-storage-hogging-is-because-of-open-world-zombies-but-dont-worry-it-can-be-reduced/
A complete install of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 with the full "high-rez assets cache" shizzle comes to a slightly silly 213GB. According to the game's official Twitter / X / whatever account that's because "zombies" and some other stuff. But don't panic, you can "uninstall specific content you are not actively playing".

Ubisoft puts Far Cry 6 out to pasture before the inevitable next one, announces no more updates but online will continue
https://www.pcgamer.com/ubisoft-puts-far-cry-6-out-to-pasture-before-the-inevitable-next-one-announces-no-more-updates-but-online-will-continue/
With Ubisoft rumoured to be working on a singleplayer sequel and some kind of live-service multiplayer follow-up, the studio has gently put Far Cry 6 out to pasture. While the game's online services will continue, it won't receive any updates in future. Yara will forevermore be what it is today, at least until those online services get switched off too.

This cult open world bugfest from 2005 is making a comeback
https://www.pcgamer.com/this-cult-open-world-bugfest-from-2005-is-making-a-comeback/
Originally released in 2005, and developed by the Ukrainian studio Deep Shadows, Boiling Point: Road to Hell is an extremely buggy, flawed, and some would claim unforgettable open world FPS. It arrived at a time when open worlds were relatively uncommon and, well, kinda showed why: the game was absolutely overreaching in its goals, and pratfalled at nearly every turn. Now it's being re-released on both Steam and GOG.

Vampire Survivors' next update adds a mini-campaign mode as well as what's always been missing: 'A whole bunch of deep lore lmao'
https://www.pcgamer.com/vampire-survivors-next-update-adds-a-mini-campaign-mode-as-well-as-whats-always-been-missing-a-whole-bunch-of-deep-lore-lmao/
2022's roguelike of the year and eternal sovereign of my heart, Poncle's Vampire Survivors, has announced its next major patch. The 1.8 Adventures update is due to release in a few weeks, and brings with it barely explained additions like remixed content, a new "sort of mini campaign" mode for members of the Vampire Survivors cast, and most important of all: "a whole bunch of deep lore lmao."

And here are the weekend deals at GOG and Steam:

+GOG

• There are only two new Deals of the Day, with the first one being Blasphemous Digital Deluxe Edition, with a 75% discount until Monday: https://www.gog.com/en/game/blasphemous_digital_deluxe_edition
• The other DotD is Worms World Party Remastered, 85% off during 70 hours: https://www.gog.com/en/game/worms_world_party_remastered

+Steam

• Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop will be free to try during the weekend and 40% off until Monday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/976590/Bus_Simulator_21_Next_Stop/
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will feature a 20% discount until November, 9th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1895880/Ratchet__Clank_Rift_Apart/
• Poly Bridge 3 is going to be 25% off until the 9th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1850160/Poly_Bridge_3/
• The Past Within gets a 60% deal until next Thursday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1515210/The_Past_Within/
• Trailmakers gets a 75% deal until Thursday, the 9th: https://store.steampowered.com/app/585420/Trailmakers/
• And tinyBuild's Publihser Sale comes with up to 80% discounts until the 9th of November: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/tinybuild

That's all for now. Until next time, I wish you a happy and gaming weekend.

lol, I love how Blizzcon opens with Blizz president, but then he then introduces Phil Spencer to the stage:

He's on stage rn.

It makes business sense.

It keeps the old fabs producing "good enough" chips that can be sold at a low price... Rather than cannibalize a new nodes limited production capacity with low-end, low-profit parts, especially as new nodes get more expensive.

It's the naming scheme that sucks as you can't differentiate at a glance.

Alan Wake 2 is a reminder why I really dislike modern gaming sometimes. 5 hours in and the games such a boring slog to play through. How this got such crazy high scores I'd never know. The first game was way more enjoyable despite being fairly repetitve at times.

Oh well, hopefully Control 2 is decent, because AW2 is became from one of the my anticipated games of the year to biggest dissapointment :I

Well, I'm loving every minute of Alan Wake 2 so far, but I also enjoy the slow exploring of similar games like some of the Resident Evil games.