Part 2

HOMEFRONT: THE REVOLUTION TRAILER INTRODUCES THE APEX CORPORATION

http://www.pcgamer.com/homefront-the-revolution-trailer-introduces-the-apex-corporation/

The most obvious question about Homefront: The Revolution, at least within the context of its fiction, is how North Korea managed to successfully invade and occupy the United States of America—far and away the world's foremost military power. A new promotional trailer for the villainous-behind-the-smile Apex Corporation helps shine a bit of light on that in a trailer that tells its history, and then leads to other, more interesting places.

>>Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsTR49Wk67w

OFFWORLD TRADING COMPANY WILL EXIT EARLY ACCESS THIS MONTH

http://www.pcgamer.com/offworld-trading-company-will-exit-early-access-this-month/

Offworld Trading Company is a different kind of extraterrestrial RTS. Developed by Mohawk Games, an indie studio founded by Civilization IV designer Soren Johnson, it's all about running a business on Mars: Establish a corporate colony, develop resources, build factories, sell your goods, and crush your competitors through the power of high finance and corporate skullduggery. It's been available on Steam Early Access since February 2015, and on April 28 it will go into full release.

PROCEDURAL HORROR PHANTASMAL CRAWLS OUT OF EARLY ACCESS NEXT WEEK

http://www.pcgamer.com/procedural-horror-phantasmal-crawls-out-of-early-access-next-week/

I look at the screenshot above and I don't immediately think of Binding of Isaac, but it's been a big influence behind Phantasmal, a game that couldn't be more zeitgeisty if it featured procedural generation, Lovecraftian monsters, or survival horror elements. (Wait, it features all three? Then how come it wasn't nominated for this year's 'Geisties?) Phantasmal's USP is its based-on-a-real-creepy-place setting: Kowloon Walled City, which until 1994 crammed thousands of Hong Kong citizens into a sort of apocalyptic Rubick's Cube.

RADIO THE UNIVERSE GETS NEW VIDEO, NOW ON TRACK FOR LATE 2016 RELEASE

http://www.pcgamer.com/radio-the-universe-gets-new-video-now-on-track-for-late-2016-release/

I forget about Radio the Universe every time it goes dark, but then another video emerges to make me excited again. Back in December 2012, the top-down, gloomy, gorgeous RPG hit Kickstarter, and since then there have only been sporadic updates to reassure people that it's still alive.

>>Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-7inrsnTOc

DON'T STARVE TOGETHER LEAVES EARLY ACCESS ON APRIL 21

http://www.pcgamer.com/dont-starve-together-leaves-early-access-on-april-21/

Don't Starve's multiplayer-focused spin-off Don't Starve Together is currently in Early Access. That's a sentence I will no longer be able to utter truthfully on April 21—as Klei has announced that's when DST will release for real.

THE DIVISION: NEW GEAR SETS DETAILED AHEAD OF THIS WEEK'S PATCH

http://www.pcgamer.com/the-division-new-gear-sets-detailed-ahead-of-this-weeks-patch/

One of the problems with The Division, identified by James in his review, is that there's little opportunity for expressing yourself. Clothing tends to be drab and same-y, befitting the colour palette of a post-pandemic New York City (though I found a nice enough red jacket). I'm not sure that's going to change anytime soon, but in terms of the practical applications of said clothing, this week's 1.1 patch is introducing a handful. We knew about that before, but as the picture above shows, we now know what the new gear sets are going to do.

SCIENCE KOMBAT LETS YOU BEAT UP CHARLES DARWIN AS STEPHEN HAWKING

http://www.pcgamer.com/science-kombat-lets-you-beat-up-charles-darwin-as-stephen-hawking/

It's not uncommon for scientists to have their disagreements, but usually they do so in the pages of impenetrable periodicals and journals. Science Kombat, a free browser game you can play right now, imagines it otherwise: it's the only opportunity you'll ever get to witness Stephen Hawking bash Charles Darwin on a sandy 16-bit beach. So you'd better take it!

>>Only the fittest will survive? >.<' sorry for the joke

CODEMASTERS RESCUES EVOLUTION STUDIOS TO FORM MULTI-PLATFORM "RACING POWERHOUSE"

http://www.pcgamer.com/codemasters-rescues-evolution-studios-to-form-multi-platform-racing-powerhouse/

It's a great day for racing. Late in March, Sony scrapped Driveclub and MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios. Renowned racing dev Codemasters was having none of that, however, and has restored the studio and staff to scale up its projects and "strengthen our leadership as the world’s premier racing game developer".

>>Discuss about it on GribbleGunger's thread: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=215618, but do you think Driveclub would have worked better on PC?

"ULTIMATE VERSION" OF SKULLGIRLS COMES TO PC WITH 2ND ENCORE UPGRADE

http://www.pcgamer.com/ultimate-version-of-skullgirls-comes-to-pc-with-2nd-encore-upgrade/

The PC has been looking strong as a platform for fighting games of late—there are even with rumours that Tekken 7 is on the way—and it's looking better still now that the "ultimate version" of Skullgirls has escaped the PlayStation.

PLAY A SHOPKEEPER WITH GRAND AMBITIONS IN THE ADORABLE MOONLIGHTER

http://www.pcgamer.com/play-a-shopkeeper-with-grand-ambitions-in-the-adorable-moonlighter/

I'll admit that Moonlighter caught my eye on looks alone. The flood of pixel art these past few years has left me jaded on the style, but Moonlighter is in the vein of Hyper Light Drifter—a game that doesn't have to be pixel art but wants to because it's rockin' the look.

>>Here's a pre-alpha teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3MmavVxFCY

New Pascal rumor/leak. It comes from Chiphell(in chinese), via bitsandchips.it (in italian) and wccftech so, as always, take it with all the necessary salt.

Nvidia Pascal GTX 1080 Features 8GB GDDR5X & 384GB/s Of Bandwidth, GTX 1070 Features 8GB GDDR5 & 256GB/s

http://wccftech.com/rumor-nvidia-pascal-gtx-1080-gddr5x-gtx-1070-f-gddr5/#ixzz45Y1uILsQ

According to the latest whispers Nvidia has allegedly designed two reference PCBs with GDDR5X and GDDR5 compatibility for its GP104 GPU based GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 graphics cards. The latest whispers claim that Nvidia has decided to create a “premium” GP104 board based on the GP104-400 GPU that is going to power the flagship Pascal GeForce GTX graphics card this year. Otherwise known as the GTX 1080 in the web’s echochambers, this “premium” board will allegedly feature GDDR5X rather than GDDR5.

Whilst Nvidia’s more mainstream GP104 based graphics card, the purported GTX 1070, will be based on a cut down version of the same GP104 chip code named GP104-200 and feature 8Gbps GDDR5 chips instead.

According to the same source two different PCB designs are necessary due to the different pin layout of GDDR5X and GDDR5 chips. So whilst the GP104 GPU is claimed to be compatible with both memory technologies, the different pin layout doesn’t allow GDDR5X to be a simple drop-in replacement.

(...)

The first wave of GDDR5X memory chips will feature speeds that range from 10Gbps to 12Gbps. Which in turn means that the fastest GDDR5X configuration will yield up to 50% more bandwidth vs the 8Gbps GDDR5 memory chips pictured above. Because the GP104 GPU is configured with a 256bit memory interface, 12Gbps GDDR5X memory will deliver 384 GB/s of bandwidth. That’s 50% more compared to the GTX 980 and 14% more compared to the GTX 980 Ti.

More info about Nvidia and Pascal. It's funny how not too long ago it was all about AMD rumors, and now it's always Nvidia. Anyway, I would label these two bits one as a rumor and the other one as legit info.

NVIDIA Readies Three Pascal GP104 GPUs To Replace GeForce GTX 980 Ti, GTX 980 and GTX 970 in June – GP104 SKUs Leaked

source: http://wccftech.com/nvidia-pascal-gp104-gpu-skus-june/#ixzz45cSOQK6k
original source: http://www.hwbattle.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news&wr_id=18732 (in korean)

The rumors regarding NVIDIA’s next generation Pascal GPUs are getting hotter by the minute as launch closes in. The latest reports from HWBattle on the Pascal gaming cards suggest that NVIDIA will not only have two but three new SKUs based on their Pascal GP104 chip which was leaked last week. Each SKU will be significantly faster than their Maxwell based predecessors and offer gamers faster FPS and better features in the upcoming AAA titles.

NVIDIA already sending out invitations for Pascal launch to the press

source: http://videocardz.com/59013/nvidia-already-sending-invitations-for-pascal-launch-to-the-press
original source: http://pctuning.tyden.cz/component/content/article/1-aktualni-zpravy/40353-pascal-gp100-pujde-i-do-hernich-grafik-nejen-do-tesel (in czech)

The leaker is not certain when exactly will this event take place, nor we are told if the launch will be a public event. The event might just as well be the so-called Editor’s Day, which often takes place before sending press samples for reviews. So this event is more like a briefing for editors. That said, if you are expecting Jen-Hsun to show his new leather jacket during live webcast, then you might be disappointed.

I can’t be quite time-specific, but one thing is certain – the launch is approaching , since Nvidia already sends out invitations to the press presentation of the new cards. Reviews and all the information comes in three (maximum four) weeks. — PCTuning (Google Translation).

Although we are not certain when will this event take place, we are told that reviews should be posted in ‘maximum four weeks’. That would be two weeks before Computex.

>>To me, the original source looks like saying that reviews will come in 3-4 weeks after the press presentation which we still don't know when it will be. I don't agree wit hthe article's conclusion that we'll see reviews in 3-4 weeks from now.

Let's go with the news:

1-Mods

• XCOM 2 mod adds Fire Emblem-style squad relationship building http://www.pcgamer.com/xcom-2-mod-adds-fire-emblem-style-squad-relationship-building/

• This Ark: Survival Evolved mod takes the dinos into outer space http://www.pcgamer.com/this-ark-survival-evolved-mod-takes-the-dinos-into-outer-space/

2-Gaming news

ESCAPE FROM TARKOV’S IN-GAME SKILL SYSTEM REVEALED & DETAILED

http://www.dsogaming.com/news/escape-from-tarkovs-in-game-skill-system-revealed-detailed/

Battlestate games, developers of Escape from Tarkov, have revealed new details about the game’s in-game skill system, skill upgrades and skills’ influence on gameplay, which are detailed below.

TITANFALL 2 GETS TEASER TRAILER, GAMEPLAY TRAILER COMING ON JUNE 12TH

http://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/titanfall-2-gets-teaser-trailer-gameplay-trailer-coming-on-june-12th/

Respawn and Electronic Arts have just released the teaser trailer for Titanfall 2. Although we don’t have enough information to share about it, Electronic Arts revealed that a gameplay trailer will be unveiled on June 12th, so stay tuned for more!

>>Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ1r2f1Jv0Y

MIRROR’S EDGE: CATALYST – NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENSHOTS RELEASED

http://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/mirrors-edge-catalyst-new-environmental-screenshots-released/

DICE and Electronic Arts have released some new screenshots from Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst, showcasing some of its environments. Powered by the Frostbite 3 engine, Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst looks really beautiful. The game is currently planned for a May 24th release.

GEARS OF WAR: ULTIMATE EDITION – FOURTH PC UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE

http://www.dsogaming.com/news/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-fourth-pc-update-now-available/

The Coalition has released a new patch for the PC version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. Unfortunately, this patch does not add support for multiple GPUs. Our guess is that such a feature will be added once Microsoft updates the functionalities of all UWP applications. Anyway, back on topic. Those who have purchased the game can download this new patch from the Windows 10 Store, and you can find its complete changelog below.

>>This will be the last story I post about GoW:U updates, unless it brings something important like SLI/XFire support or the like,

FAR CRY: PRIMAL – PATCH 1.3 IS AVAILABLE – ADDS ULTRA-HD TEXTURE PACK & OPTION TO TURN OFF MOUSE DEADZONES

http://www.dsogaming.com/news/far-cry-primal-patch-1-3-out-adds-ultra-hd-texture-pack-option-to-turn-off-mouse-deadzones/

Ubisoft has released a new patch for Far Cry: Primal. According to the release notes, this patch adds a new Survivor mode and Permadeath. In addition, this patch includes a Ultra-HD Texture Pack for the PC version (it will be 3.2GB in size and will be made available shortly as a free DLC), and adds an option to turn off mouse deadzones. This patch will be auto-downloaded from UPLAY, and you can find its complete changelog below.

>>Although this patch fixes a lot more things that the GOW:U one (I don't know if it's something good or bad), this will also be the last patch update I post.

STORIES: THE PATH OF DESTINIES IS NOW AVAILABLE

http://www.dsogaming.com/news/stories-the-path-of-destinies-is-now-available/

Spearhead Games announced today the release of Stories: The Path of Destinies. Stories: The Path of Destinies is an action-RPG set in a vibrant fairytale universe filled with floating islands, majestic airships, and colorful magic.

>>This is the launch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sRf9GsZ58A

Part 2:

TRANSPORT FEVER SET TO BRING THE METICULOUS PLANNING HEAT THIS FALL

http://www.pcgamer.com/transport-fever-set-to-bring-the-meticuolus-planning-heat-this-fall/

For me, the term 'trainspotting' will always conjure images of Ewan McGregor diving headlong into a public toilet in which the worst sort of dirty protest has occurred. Which is a shame, as there's a quiet nobility to the pastime, which I hope will be captured in Transport Fever from Urban Games, the follow up to Train Fever.

>>Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1U8WMaVju0

PAPERS, PLEASE DEVELOPER RELEASES FREE DEMO FOR NEXT GAME

http://www.pcgamer.com/papers-please-developer-releases-free-demo-for-next-game/

It may have fallen off our radars for a while, but the Return of the Obra Dinn—the next project from Papers, Please developer Lucas Pope—has, well, returned, in the form of a new work-in-progress demo that's available to play now.

RUST NOW ASSIGNS PLAYERS A RANDOM PERMANENT GENDER, DEVELOPER EXPLAINS WHY

http://www.pcgamer.com/rust-now-assigns-players-a-random-permanent-gender-developer-explains-why/

As hinted at by developer Facepunch last summer, Rust has now introduced female character models to its procedurally-generated sandbox. As per the game's previous updates, which arbitrarily assigned players with unchangeable faces and skin tones—and, latterly, penis sizes—the update randomnly and permanently ties your gender to your SteamID.

>>Wait! Penis sizes? o.O

DOOM OPEN BETA KICKS OFF THIS WEEK – HERE'S WHAT'S IN IT

http://www.pcgamer.com/doom-open-beta-kicks-off-this-week-heres-whats-in-it/

Unless you preordered Wolfenstein: The New Order or conned your way into the Doom closed beta by other means, you're probably keen to get your hands on it. Thankfully there's an open beta kicking off later this week – April 15, to be precise – and you won't need a code to play it. The new trailer above celebrates this fact while also showcasing all the death, violence and horror the game proudly flaunts.

>>Watch the sample here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE8-meIrYmM

TRUCK SIMULATOR PATCHES DELIVER HEFTY NEW FEATURES

http://www.pcgamer.com/truck-simulator-patches-deliver-hefty-new-features/

SCS has dropped massive updates for American and Euro Truck Simulators, allowing you to look the part of the long-distance haulier at last.

CHUNKS IS THE VIVE'S MINECRAFT FROM RUST DEV FACEPUNCH

http://www.pcgamer.com/chunks-is-the-vives-minecraft-from-rust-dev-facepunch/

Facepunch, the developer of Rust, has been working on Chunks for the HTC Vive for about 10 months. It is unashamedly Minecraft-like, to the degree that it was codenamed Vivecraft. But though Minecraft is a sure thing for the Rift, its future on the Vive is uncertain.

>>Remember MSoft and how they used Minecraft to demonstrate their Hololens AR headset? Well, they've been beaten: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3A2Qpp-c1g

HIT BY THE FIRELINK SHRINE BONFIRE CRASH IN DARK SOULS 3? HERE'S A FIX

http://www.pcgamer.com/hit-by-the-firelink-shrine-bonfire-crash-in-dark-souls-3-heres-a-fix/

Durante cast his critical eye over the Dark Souls 3 PC port and found it to be the best in the series. That hasn't stopped an infuriating crash bug creeping in though. Players approaching the Firelink Shrine bonfire are crashing to desktop, again and again, until they go hollow. I know the pain, because I came up against the same bug and had to cobble together a fix to progress—hopefully it'll work for you.

FREE DLC FOR TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER DETAILED

http://www.pcgamer.com/free-dlc-for-total-war-warhammer-detailed/

If you still harbour rage at the relegation of Total War: Warhammer's Chaos faction to a pre-order bonus or paid DLC, take heart: free extras are on the way too. You might call it a peace offering.

Well, too late. I wanted to wait for a proper Windows version, but I couldn't ignore the $9.99 deal for the XBO version at Amazon last month.

Next round: Quantum Break. What will come first? A fixed PC version or an XBO offer "I can't refuse"?

Do you really doubt what will come first?

Well, I can't complain about the PC versions of Ryse, Dead Rising 3, Ori and Rise of the Tomb Raider on PC... so there is still a chance.

Ryse, Dead Rising 3 and Ori launched before MSoft started this whole initiative. They were released before Win10 was launched!

And the regular version of Tomb Raider is fine, but the Windows Store one has its own set of issues.

Exactly why I'll never ever buy it because Capcom still hasn't bothered to sort it out.