Tuesday news:

SALES & "SALES"/DEALS

Phantom Dust Remaster reaches one million players, new update detailed
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/phantom-dust-remaster-reaches-one-million-players-new-update-detailed/
Adam Isgreen, Creative Director at Microsoft Studios, has announced that the free version of Phantom Dust Remaster has reached one million players. According to Adam, this blows away the original numbers of players the game had when first released on the first Xbox console.

GOG is giving away Double Dragon Trilogy with every purchase this week
http://www.pcgamer.com/gog-is-giving-away-double-dragon-trilogy-with-every-purchase/
Most children of the '90s (and the late '80s, for that matter) will have some exposure to Double Dragon, whether via playing the actual game, or seeing Fred Savage play it in Nintendo-promo vehicle The Wizard. Whatever the case, for those not exhausted by the Steam Sale, the game is currently free with every purchase on GOG this week.

The Humble Store has heaps of racing games on sale right now
http://www.pcgamer.com/the-humble-store-has-heaps-of-racing-games-for-sale-right-now/
There are few occasions in real life when we can drive our cars or motorbikes at dangerously high speeds, but thankfully, in video games, there's rarely an occasion when we're called upon to drive slowly. And that's no better demonstrated than by the list of games in this new Humble Store racing sale.

SOFTWARE

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MODS/EMULATORS

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GAMING NEWS

Yooka-Layle gets a major update – Adds new optional camera mode, improves flying controls
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/yooka-layle-gets-a-major-update-adds-new-optional-camera-mode-improves-flying-controls/
Playtonic Games has released a new major update for Yooka-Layle. This patch adds a new optional camera mode, first-person aiming control options, new icons for keyboard/mouse controls, and the ability to speed through dialogue by holding Y.

CI Games admits it was a mistake to chase the big boys, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 was too ambitious
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/ci-games-admits-it-was-a-mistake-to-chase-the-big-boys-sniper-ghost-warrior-3-was-too-ambitious/
CI Games has issued a statement detailing its future plans, in which the company admitted that it was a mistake to chase the big publishers. CI Games was specifically talking about Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3; a game that was too ambitious versus what it could have been able to deliver in any reasonable amount of time.

The Golf Club 2 is now available, gets launch screenshots
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/the-golf-club-2-is-now-available-gets-launch-screenshots/
Maximum Games, in partnership with developer HB Studios, today announced the release of their highly-anticipated sports game, The Golf Club 2, the next installment from the beloved franchise. The Golf Club 2 is already available on Steam in various regions and in order to celebrate this release, Maximum Games shared the launch screenshots from it.

Escape from Tarkov – Closed beta phase begins next month
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/escape-from-tarkov-closed-beta-phase-begins-next-month/
Battlestate Games today announced that Escape from Tarkov, its realism-focused hardcore FPS/MMO hybrid, will be entering its official Closed Beta phase in July. The Closed Beta, which will be available to all current and new pre-order owners, introduces new features, content and optimizations – a new map, weapon parts, new loot, economy rebalancing, and an insurance system.

Part two of the news:

HEVN free two-hour demo teases intriguing, contemplative sci-fi exploration
http://www.pcgamer.com/hevn-free-two-hour-demo-teases-intriguing-contemplative-sci-fi-exploration/
When HEVN first caught my eye back in February, I was taken by its premise and, despite noting its supposed Deus Ex and System Shock inspiration, thought it leaned more towards the likes of Event [0] and Soma. Having now spent a couple of hours stalking the lonely corridors of its abandoned Naic space station I can affirm my initial impressions. HEVN is a slow burner, but I'm now keen to see where it steers its story from here on.

Here's how PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds will be changing loot drops
http://www.pcgamer.com/heres-how-playerunknowns-battlegrounds-will-be-changing-loot-drops/
In a post on Steam today, PlayerUnknown outlined some incoming changes to weapon drop rates in care packages that will arrive in a larger set of patch notes coming tomorrow. The drop rate changes are pretty modest. Hopefully you like getting shot from unseen and unheard assailants: with the VSS becoming a gun that drops across the map rather than simply in loot crates, the main change to PUBG's meta seems like it will be an overall increase in the number of silencers and silenced weapons.

Steamworld Dig 2 will come to the PC "within a few days" of the Switch
http://www.pcgamer.com/steamworld-dig-2-will-come-to-the-pc-within-a-few-days-of-the-switch/
A release date hasn't been announced (in fact, it's been pushed back slightly) but today the game appeared on Steam, and the studio said that the delay between the Nintendo and PC releases won't be nearly as long this time around.

Agents of Mayhem trailer showcases the Bombshells
http://www.pcgamer.com/agents-of-mayhem-trailer-showcases-the-bombshells/
A new Agents of Mayhem trailer introduces the Bombshells, a trio of agents—Joule, Rama, and Red Card—described as "the most volatile" members of the corporate law enforcement outfit know as MAYHEM.

BioWare boss says Anthem is 'science fantasy' like Star Wars or the Marvel Universe
http://www.pcgamer.com/bioware-boss-says-anthem-is-science-fantasy-like-star-wars-or-the-marvel-universe/
Anthem, BioWare's shared-world shooter, will tell the tale of humans on an alien planet who rely on power-armored suits called "Freelancers" to protect them from all sorts of threats. Mass Effect 1 and 2 lead writer Drew Karpyshyn revealed earlier this month that he's working on the project, so it's reasonable to expect that an entertaining story will be told amidst all the shootsplosions.

Gorn is a ridiculously violent VR brawler by the Broforce studio
http://www.pcgamer.com/gorn-is-a-ridiculously-violent-vr-brawler-by-the-broforce-studio/
When VR was conceptualised, it wasn't just in the hope that we'd be able to explore strange and fantastical digital worlds. No, there was probably also the notion that VR would allow us to beat the ever-loving crap out of burly shirtless men, without fear of reprisal. And folks, Gorn is that hope and dream come to fruition.

Observer's 'hidden horror' sees players invading the minds of NPCs
http://www.pcgamer.com/observers-hidden-horror-sees-players-invading-the-minds-of-npcs/
After the teasiest of teasers last year, James shared some cultured thoughts on Bloober Team's Layers of Fear follow-up Observer, after going hands-on with an unreleased demo in February. Within, he claimed Bloober Team's second major project still holds onto the "haunted house tricks" of its forerunner, but that it "breaks up those tiring sequences with contemplative detective work."

The Division update 1.7 will add Global Events, Classified Gear, Commendations
http://www.pcgamer.com/the-division-update-17-will-add-global-events-classified-gear-commendations/
We've been steadily drip-fed what's in store for its incoming 1.7 update over the past few weeks, however we now know three things for certain: Global Events, Commendations and Classified Gear are all on the menu.

This week in Killing Floor, enemies shrink when you shoot them
http://www.pcgamer.com/killing-floor-2-tiny-terror/
Following last week's headshots-only mode last week, Killing Floor's next Weekly Outbreak is Tiny Terror, which makes its various zed enemies—even bosses—shrink when you shoot 'em.

Super CloudBuilt release date confirmed
http://www.pcgamer.com/super-cloudbuilt-release-date-confirmed/
In his 2014 review, Emanuel Maiberg largely praised CoilWorks and Rising Star Games' CloudBuilt—billing its "platforming-as-time-trial-racing" premise as one which "puts Sonic to shame." Where the cyber parkour platformer faltered, however, was in its at times confusing visual design, which, having played the game myself since, I can mostly agree with.

Some new monitors have been announced, which may or may not interest some of you.

Dell's UP2718Q

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-hdr-monitor-up2718q/apd/210-amvp/monitors-monitor-accessories

Do you know about the Asus and Acer 27", 4K, HDR, G-Sync, 144Hz with 384 FALD that were revealed earlier this year? Well, remove G-Sync and the high refresh rate, it's only 60Hz, and you have this monitor:

Tech details:

27" IPS screen, 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz, 1000:1/20.000:1 contrast ratio (typical/HDR), 6ms response time, DisplayPort 1.4, Mini DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 and 4x USB 3.0 ports. The stand does tilt, height, swivel and rotate. All for "only" $1999.99.

As a side note, even taking into account that it's a Dell monitor, given how much this one costs, the Asus and Acer ones will be crazy expensive.

Dell U3818DW

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/38.htm#dell_up3818dw

The screen supports a 3840 x 1600 resolution and has a 24:10 aspect ratio as a result, while the panel offers a 3-side borderless design and is based on an LG.Display IPS panel.

The monitor also features a convenient single cable with 100W USB Type-C connectivity that transmits power, audio and video between the laptop and monitor. Integrated dual 9W speakers power a full video editing experience or lifelike gameplay, while 99 percent sRGB factory calibration delivers accurate colours, right out of the box.

Dell UltraSharp 38 Curved Monitor (U3818DW) will be available to purchase in the EMEA region from June 30. Pricing available at launch according to the press release but word is that it will be around $1500 USD over in USA market.

Asus ROG Swift PG35VQ & Acer Predator X35

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/38.htm#asus_rog_swift_pg35vq

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/news_archive/38.htm#acer_predator_x35

Since they'll be using the same panel and have the same features, I'm posting them together.

They both use a 35-inch, UWQHD with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, curved panel with HDR.

It's a VA-type panel from AU Optronics (AMVA) with a 200Hz refresh rate, up to 1000cd/m² and the LED backlight is dynamically controlled across 512 zones. It's also a Quantum-dot technology panel and supports the cinema-standard DCI-P3 colour gamut. It also features G-SYNC.

The screen uses DisplayPort 1.4 which will be needed to power 3440 x 1440 resolution at the very high 200Hz refresh rate.

Both monitors will launch in Q4 2017.

These monitors keep on getting announced but I am still waiting for them to come out already damn it. I need 4k, 144hz, HDR ready

Retooling chip designs for older processes is something AMD has done before.
For instance VLIW4 existed purely because 28nm wasn't ready, so they pushed their design on 40nm hard instead.

As for 12nm, I did say there was "Caveats".
It's also not a true 12nm process anyway. Neither is TSMC's 12nm process that nVidia is using for GV100.

All I want is for one to be 30-32", 1440P, HDR 10-bit, Freesync, IPS, Quantum-dot, 120hz. Why is that such a hard task? :P

The temptation to get the Asus PB328Q for $800 AUD is strong. It just doesn't fit all my requirements. (VA and 75hz.) Also out of stock at the moment.

Actually GF's 7nm technology is a lot closer to Intel's 10nm technology than it at 14nm ... 

That was just a one time deal since circumstances got out of control for GF, this time their really going on their own seperate ways with maybe a research collaboration with IBM ? GF hasn't even announced a partnership in a 1 year advance either and they've already given their early PDKs to their biggest customers like AMD, IBM and the others but their also finalizing their own PDKs so this time GF really does intend to bring out their own node ... 

That used to be the case but I'm not so sure anymore and Intel is also participating in those marketing stunts too. Just recently Samsung has already leapfrogged Intel earlier this year by releasing their own 10nm chips which marks for the first time that Intel is not a leader in transistor technology ever since they've been in the business of manufacturing chips! 

With Samsung outspending Intel in terms of investments in integrated circuit manufacturing, becoming the first committed adopters to bleeding edge technology (like EUV and Gate All Around FETs which will succeed FinFETs) and becoming faster at iterating new technology for chip manufacturing their establishing permanent leadership in transistor technology and not a temporary one! Mind you Samsung isn't doing this alone either, R&D also gets subsidized by IBM and GF ... 

Intel can't keep playing this game alone when feature sizes get smaller and smaller. They need to find other sources of revenue and fast since AMD is on the horizen with Zen 2 which could seriously undercut their R&D affecting their ability to transition to smaller feature sizes. Samsung also isn't making 7nm for itself, their also trying to lock out TSMC of high end customers like Apple when Samsung's 7nm node is 35% more dense than TSMC's 7nm node. Last time Apple was able to ignore using because TSMC came out with somewhat better electrostatics at 16nm despite having somewhat less density than Samsung at 14nm and the fact that they would prefer not to pay their competitors but this time Apple won't be able to ignore the density advantage ... 

Their 12nm FD-SOI is for low power and low cost applications like IoT and Automotives. Their true successor to 14nm FF is 7nm FF which is due for 2H 2018 ... 

AMD launched Vega Frontier and, thanks to that, we may have some real word performance numbers from Vega before the gaming variants come out.

AMD Radeon Vega Frontier features Gaming Mode
https://videocardz.com/70511/amd-radeon-vega-frontier-features-gaming-mode
Turns out Radeon Vega Frontier is not just a professional card for game development. Game creators who wish to test their games can now do so by switching to gaming mode through Radeon Settings panel. In other words, it is possible to test games with Frontier and this is exactly what will happen, because sooner or later someone will receive their preordered Frontier.

So... how long do you think we'll have to wait to see those numbers?

Too long.

Oh, c'mon! The thing launched what, yesterday? Give it a couple of days to reach the final users and have it up and running, and then we will be able to say "too long".

Let's go with the news:

SALES & "SALES"/DEALS

Warframe has surpassed 30 million registered players, Chains of Harrow free update releases today
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/warframe-30-million-registered-players-chains-of-harrow-free-update/
Digital Extremes has announced that the newest Warframe update “Chains of Harrow” arrives on PC later today, introducing Harrow; a menacing new Warframe who wields priest-style powers and offers a terrifying new, lore-based quest. Moreover, Digital Extremes revealed that more than 30 million players have registered.

SOFTWARE

Microsoft’s PIX DX12 tool introduces system monitor that will help developers optimize their games
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/microsofts-pix-dx12-tool-introduces-system-monitor-that-will-help-developers-optimize-their-games/
Microsoft has released a new update for its PIX tool that will help developers better optimize their titles. In case you didn’t know, PIX is a performance tuning and debugging tool for game developers, and its latest beta version lets developers analyze the performance of DirectX 12 games.

MODS/EMULATORS

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GAMING NEWS

Escape from Tarkov – New beautiful screenshots showcase the new “Shoreline” location
http://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/escape-from-tarkov-new-screenshots-shoreline-location/
Battlestate Games has shared some new screenshots, showcasing the game’s new “Shoreline” location. The Shoreline is described as the second closest location to the military checkpoint at the port area entrance, and it is characterized by a noticeably larger size than any other Tarkov locations, as well as varied landscapes and objects.

Ubisoft plans to develop a new Splinter Cell game
http://www.dsogaming.com/news/ubisoft-plans-develop-new-splinter-cell-game/
A lot of Sam Fisher fans were disappointed at this year’s E3 as Ubisoft did not reveal anything at all about a possible new Splinter Cell game. However, and according to its CEO, it appears that the French company is indeed looking into developing a new part in its Splinter Cell series.