I get it, but it's not the end of the world.

And who knows, throw a beard and a scar and you may be able to hide half his face.

Not the first time, as I had the issue with some laptops at work, reinstalled the drivers to make them work.

On the other hand, while less often, it also happens with Intel laptops. Though those generally go directly to Bitlocker...

Steam Machine has a Red Line of Death, and this is the worst LED pattern to get

https://videocardz.com/newz/steam-machine-has-a-red-line-of-death-and-this-is-the-worst-led-pattern-to-get

Winhanced adds cross-store game store for Windows handhelds, MSI Claw 8 EX Arc G3 support

https://videocardz.com/newz/winhanced-adds-cross-store-game-store-for-windows-handhelds-msi-claw-8-ex-arc-g3-support

Leaked video reveals Microsoft’s web-based Copilot OS plans from 2024

https://videocardz.com/newz/leaked-video-reveals-microsofts-web-based-copilot-os-plans-from-2024

Intel confirms Core Ultra 7 270k and Ultra 5 250K price hike

https://videocardz.com/newz/intel-confirms-core-ultra-7-270k-and-ultra-5-250k-price-hike

G-SYNC Pulsar firmware 1.1.8 adds lower 240Hz input lag and better 120Hz ULMB2

https://videocardz.com/newz/g-sync-pulsar-firmware-1-1-8-adds-lower-240hz-input-lag-and-better-120hz-ulmb2

Intel Solves 18A Yield Issues, Production Reaches 30,000 Wafers Per Month

https://www.techpowerup.com/350487/intel-solves-18a-yield-issues-production-reaches-30-000-wafers-per-month

Samsung Is Increasing LPDDR And Commodity DRAM Prices By Over 20% In Q3 After Hiking By 90% In Q1 And 50-60% In Q2

https://wccftech.com/samsung-is-increasing-lpddr-and-commodity-dram-prices-by-over-20-in-q3-after-hiking-by-90-in-q1-and-50-60-in-q2/

It’s time for the Friday gaming news:

SALES/PLAYER COUNTS & DEALS

The Humble Store has two new sales:

• Dotemu Spotlight Sale has games up to 90% off during the next 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/dotemu-spotlight/
• Explosive Action Sale has games with up to 93% discounts,and will also last 6 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/explosive-action/

Fanatical has two new deals:

• The new Star Deal is Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection , 33% off during 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/monster-hunter-stories-3-twisted-reflection
• The SpecialEffect Charity Bundle includes 12 games and will be available during 27 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/specialeffect-charity-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Grand Theft Auto 5 Got a Massive Law Enforcement Overhaul Mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/grand-theft-auto-5-got-a-masive-law-enforcement-overhaul-mod/
Yorpie has released a massive new overhaul mod for Grand Theft Auto 5. According to its description, Project Enhancement V: San Andreas Law Enforcement is a mod that heavily expands on everything existing regarding law enforcement. So, let’s take a closer look at it.
For those wondering, this is the same PEV: SALE mod that was on gta5mods for years. The mod has since been kept on a Discord and has been constantly updated. And now, a brand new version of it is available on NexusMods.
Going into more details, the mod overhauls every major law enforcement department in the game with new NPC models and larger vehicle fleets.
For example, the Los Santos County Sheriff uses only a Stanier and a Granger in the base game. With SALE, the department also gets motorcycles, Interceptors, Fugitives, Bisons, Enforcers, Mavericks, and several patrol boats.
The same treatment has been given to the mod’s four main departments: the Los Santos Police Department, the Los Santos County Sheriff’s Department, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Andreas Highway Patrol.
The mod also adds several new departments. These include the Los Santos Port Authority, the Los Santos International Airport Police Department, the Paleto Bay Police Department, the U.S. Marshals, the Military Police, and the National Coast Guard. The FIB and NOOSE have also been expanded and now play a much bigger role in the wanted system.
Medical and fire services have received updates as well. Each county now has its own emergency services, and the state also has its own separate units.
The mod adds a wide range of law enforcement units. These include patrol officers, response teams similar to the LAPD Metro Division, and SWAT units.
At higher wanted levels, federal versions of all three unit types will also join the chase. At the highest wanted level, snipers will appear on rooftops across the map.
Roadblocks have also been improved. Instead of using only traffic cones, they now include a variety of barriers and other props.
The mod also gives every faction new weapon loadouts. Gang members can now use a wider range of weapons, including melee weapons, shotguns, assault rifles, and more.
And that’s not all. Project Enhancement V: San Andreas Law Enforcement brings numerous AI improvements, too. For instance, police officers now behave very differently from the base game, and their actions depend on their role. Patrol officers are more cautious. Gang members are more reckless. Tactical units are much more aggressive. Players can also expect tactical units to use tear gas more often, look for better flanking routes, and make smarter use of cover during firefights.
The Pursuit AI has also been massively boosted. Cops will now keep up a lot better, attempt to take corners and swerve between traffic better, and will no longer despawn the very millisecond they fall behind, but instead will attempt to catch up again. Their line of sight has been increased during pursuits, and once they do lose sight of you, they will predict your path for a few more moments before going into search.
Instead of having to wait out a wanted level, you now have to escape a search radius similar to GTA IV. This is visible by a circle on the minimap. At 1-4 stars, it is possible to wait it out inside the circle, but it takes quite a while, while at 5 stars, you have to get out. Also worth noting, the closer you get to the edge of the circle, the higher the density of cops and roadblocks to reflect the fact that they have a perimeter set up. Tactical teams, sometimes accompanied by dogs, will now actively spawn and pursue you into the subway and train tunnels, as well as the sewers at max wanted levels.
It’s also worth noting that the mod makes some changes to the open-world scenarios. Players will see more police officers on patrol, and new departments will appear in places where they make sense. You may also spot unmarked police cars watching busy areas around the city. Sheriffs will patrol high-crime areas more often, and the San Andreas Highway Patrol will set up speed traps more frequently. The mod also improves ambient police chases. More police cars can now join these pursuits, and officers may wear body armor. As a result, police are much more likely to stop suspects than they were in the base game.
All in all, this is a huge gameplay overhaul mod for GTA5. The bad news is that this mod is for the Legacy Version, and not for the Enhanced Edition. From what I know, there are currently no plans to bring the mod to GTA 5 Enhanced. So, this kind of sucks. Still, those who are playing GTA 5 Legacy should give it a go. You can download it from this link.
>> That is a very long article. Anyway, there’s also an over 20 minutes video in it.

Valheim Just Got Two Cool MMO-Style Mods
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/valheim-just-got-two-cool-mmo-style-mods/
Modder ‘AkumaVenomJG’ has released two really cool MMO-style mods for Valheim. These two mods are Valheim MMORPG Core and Valheim Alive Wars. So, let’s take a look at them.
Let’s start with Valheim MMORPG Core. This is a BepInEx plugin that adds MMO-style progression to Valheim. Creatures can spawn with visible levels above their heads, players gain XP from defeating enemies, and enemy stats scale based on the player’s level, so the world keeps feeling dangerous and alive.
This is a really cool mod that can make Valheim feel like an MMORPG. So, if you want to experience Valheim in a completely different way, you should download it from here.
On the other hand, Valheim Alive Wars adds an MMO-style world war layer to Valheim. The world can generate friendly settlements, hostile camps, faction NPCs, warbands, and a settlement HUD so the map feels more alive while you explore.
This second mod does not add any proper RPG elements. In other words, you won’t be leveling up your character while defeating enemies. Instead, it just populates the world with friendly settlements, hostile camps, and NPCs/creatures. You can download it from here.
>> An article with two mods, but zero media.

GAMING NEWS

Gothic 1 Remake Update 1.0.3 Released – Full Patch Notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/gothic-1-remake-update-1-0-3-released-full-patch-notes/
Alkimia Interactive has released Title Update 1.0.3 for Gothic 1 Remake and shared its full patch notes. So, let’s see what this new patch brings to the table.

The second part of the Friday gaming news:

Ubisoft hires former Take-Two and Amazon vet to head up its Tom Clancy games
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/ubisoft-hires-former-take-two-and-amazon-vet-to-head-up-its-tom-clancy-games/
Amazon Game Studios boss Christoph Hartmann left the company earlier this year amidst its move away from big-budget game development and embrace of AI-powered slop. There was no indication at the time as to what he'd get up to next (in fact, I don't think his departure was ever publicly confirmed by Amazon), but now we know: He's signed up with Ubisoft.

World of Warcraft's on the quality-of-life boost warpath, with fixes including an auto-loot setting that's been mildly inconveniencing alt-lovers for years
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/world-of-warcraft/world-of-warcrafts-on-the-quality-of-life-boost-warpath-with-fixes-including-an-auto-loot-setting-thats-been-mildly-inconveniencing-alt-lovers-for-years/
World of Warcraft's ramping up to its first major "big number" patch, Curse of Ula'tek—in addition to some interesting changes to how world bosses work, Blizzard's also taking aim at some quality-of-life features. And while these updates haven't all exactly been frictionless, I've gotta tip my hat to Blizzard, here—a lot of these are major plusses.

Relax, PC Gamers: We're not getting GTA 6 on November 19, but we've got, um... 'Phantom Vice Auto' launching the same day on Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/relax-pc-gamers-were-not-getting-gta-6-on-november-19-but-weve-got-um-phantom-vice-auto-launching-the-same-day-on-steam/
Grand Theft Auto 6 releases on November 19, 2026… but not on PC. When is the biggest game in history actually coming to PC? Who knows? More importantly… who even cares?
We don't need GTA 6 on PC because we've got something that promises to be just as big launching the same day. That's right, brace yourself for the highly-anticipated arrival of the self-described "entertainment blockbuster" called, um… Phantom Vice Auto. And it's releasing on Steam on November 19.

Former Call of Duty frontman launches new studio with a 'Stop Killing Games'-style mission statement: If the game bombs, it goes open source
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/former-call-of-duty-frontman-launches-new-studio-with-a-stop-killing-games-style-mission-statement-if-the-game-bombs-it-goes-open-source/
Former Call of Duty strategist Robert Bowlling, whose ill-fated venture with Midnight Society came to an end in 2025, is taking another shot at the game business. In a message posted to LinkedIn, Bowling said he's co-founded a new studio with "a killer team," and while nothing was said about what it's currently working on, the studio is called //18.bravo and that sure sounds like something to me.

Amnesia studio delays its new game into 2027
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/amnesia-studio-delays-its-new-game-into-2027/
XOntos, the next game from acclaimed Amnesia horrorsmiths Frictional Games, is delayed—instead of being out later this year as originally planned, the studio said today that it will drop in 2027 instead.

Rust gets even more cutthroat by adding its own version of apartment rentals
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/rust-gets-even-more-cutthroat-by-adding-its-own-version-of-apartment-rentals/
It's been a while since I played Rust but I always look forward to its monthly updates because—what even is Rust these days? The latest feature sounds like the least likely thing you'd find in a hardcore PvP sandbox: apartments for rent.
"The apartment complex is a new monument that allows players getting started with a wipe to find a place to call home," says Facepunch Studios. "Simply talk to the receptionist in the lobby to get started and rent a room. There are options for every budget, from the basement to the penthouse. Different room types come with different perks, like more storage, furnaces and more."

Following the success of Mouthwashing, developer Wrong Organ wasn't ready to make a better 'story game,' so it's making a 'gameplay game' instead
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/following-the-success-of-mouthwashing-developer-wrong-organ-wasnt-ready-to-make-a-better-story-game-so-its-making-a-gameplay-game-instead/
Ahead of co-op tank sim Carcass Clad's reveal trailer at the PC Gaming Show, I got to speak to Wrong Organ devs Jeffrey Tomec and Dave van Egdom about the studio's upcoming third game. The elephant in the room: Carcass Clad is a huge departure from the studio's breakout hit, Mouthwashing, a singleplayer narrative horror game.
"This game is a statement in some ways, it could seem weird," said Tomec. "We made a story game and you loved it, but now we're doing something [that's] nothing like that, and to an extent, there's a little bit that we definitely don't want to pigeonhole ourselves."
>> The same author of this article followed with another one, very similar, about his same game (link)

The new Company of Heroes is a wave-based defense game that throws prospective generals straight into the action
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rts/the-new-company-of-heroes-is-a-wave-based-defense-game-that-throws-prospective-generals-straight-into-the-action/
Back in June at the PC Gamer Show, Relic Entertainment announced Company of Heroes: Definitive Edition, a remake to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its WW2 RTS that got our Jake Tucker very excited. But that's not the only CoH game that Relic has cooking. Today the studio announced Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand, not an RTS but a "wave defense" game that pits players against escalating rounds of enemy attacks, with powerful bosses and "dynamic battlefield events."

And here is the third, and final, part of the Friday gaming news:

Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD is said to survive Microsoft's culling for the second time now
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/horror/hideo-kojimas-upcoming-horror-game-od-is-said-to-survive-microsofts-culling-for-the-second-time-now/

'Fewer than 10' employees remain at Thick as Thieves studio following another round of layoffs
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/fewer-than-10-employees-remain-at-thick-as-thieves-studio-following-another-round-of-layoffs/

The internet is agog at Captain America's hog
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fighting/the-internet-is-agog-at-captain-americas-hog/
>> TLDR: Marvel Heroes,. Captain America new swimsuit. Damn boy! You’re packing.

Clair Obscur is flawed on purpose, says director: 'Games that try to be perfect, that try to fix all their flaws—they're usually just really boring'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/clair-obscur-is-flawed-on-purpose-says-director-games-that-try-to-be-perfect-that-try-to-fix-all-their-flaws-theyre-usually-just-really-boring/

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League's development got so bad that it almost turned its devs away from the industry for good: 'I could feel myself coming apart at the seams'
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-leagues-development-got-so-bad-that-it-almost-turned-its-devs-away-from-the-industry-for-good-i-could-feel-myself-coming-apart-at-the-seams/
>> And in the end, it wasn’t worth it.

And now, another quick and easy look at the weekend deals at both GOG and Steam:

+GOG

• The Summer Sale is still going on! But we careful, because it will end inl ess than 6 days: https://www.gog.com/es/summer-sale
• But wait! There’s also a new GIVEAWAY: Nexus: The Jupiter Incident will be free to get during 70 hours : https://www.gog.com/en/game/nexus_the_jupiter_incident

+Steam

• Here we also find the Summer Sale, that will also end next week, the 9th of july: https://store.steampowered.com

That’s all folks! Until the next time, I wish you a happy and gaming weekend.

Damn, 18 years already for one of my favorite games??? And Baldur's Gate (the original) will soon turn 30. Now I feel even older than I already am...

Yeah, I can see they tried to save some bucks on the CPU by using the 8400F over the 9600X, which is roughly 50€ more expensive here... but they could have gone with the 7500F, which is even cheaper and more powerful!

It won't help but... Quake is also 30 years old.

PCGamer also has an article (link) about this, but they both differ a bit when it comes to what happened.

While the article from videocardz makes it look like the machine arrived broken, the article from PCGamer and the reddit post itself tell that the machine worked fine at first and the user could play No Man's Sky, but then there wasa software update that caused the problem.

It may be a case of failed hardware or a faulty update. We'll see.

I doubt they're selling so well that this will be a problem, but it's still a d*ck move from Intel and, in other circumstances (aka. if it mattered) we would be wondering if this was the plan the whole time and the launch price was just a way to get better reviews.