Expected. Zens successor would have been taped out before the news of this issue came to light.
I would not be surprised if the next round of CPU's next year still have the vulnerabilities.

Those console gamers better be thankful to us PC gamers. ;)

Well, I got my stuff delivered.

Unrelated question: Anyone know how to make cooling paste out of cooking oil, ketchup and citrus juice?

You're telling me. I decided for some reason, to install and run Operation Raccoon city, only to be met with it crashing on startup, to which a 20 min look-over had me downloading the latest GFWL version and then running the game, only to be met with the fucking coloures being inverted. Apparently no one has run into this issue, and as such I can never play the game, despite me getting past GFWL.

Have I mentioned my hate for GFWL yet?.

Everyone is praising Capcom out the ass, and I'm here staring at a game that's both practically dead and doesn't work properly on a modern OS. It worked on Win 7, but flat out doesn't work for me on 10. I'm aware that it wasn't Capcom who made the game, yet they published it, they looked over it and said it was fit for selling. 

This is why I fear for the PC port of MHW, because if their previous games are going to die in a few years time thanks to a new OS they cba patching for, or games they are just going to publish poorly, then I have next to no hope for a very competent MHW port job. Especially considering it's MH dev team's first ever port job. 

Since the FF XV PC benchmark tool is out, GN decided to run a few tests on AMD/Intel/NV hardware:

I tried the bench at 1080p, despite me sporting a 1440p 144hz monitor, and I was getting frame hiccups here and there. I'll try to input into the command line for 1440p and see how it runs from there. 

Seems like the game is GPU bound though, which makes sense given it's a console port, as well as disproving that the game was "made from the ground up for PC", according to the game's director:

I was being teased back in late 2016, with a short demo being shown off at an event during 2017. We've had two PC trailers for it, and only now do we have the benchmark tool and pre-order information.

You can nab the game over on GMG for £26.24, but it says it's the standard edition, and so far GMG doesn't have the Royal edition listed.

https://www.destructoid.com/hot-pc-deals-25-off-final-fantasy-xv-and-38-off-zodiac-age-485801.phtml

I have just tried the bechmark.

The game is alright, but it is very much a port.
I really like the addition of hair to the monsters and the volumetric fire.
Grass is always a welcome addition in my books.

Overall I am not impressed, but this is what I was expecting.
A clear leap above the consoles (assuming they run Lite or Standard).
They clearly didn't rebuild the game from the ground up.

Some quick screenshots:
http://image.ibb.co/idx9w6/Desktop_Screenshot_2018_02_03_00_36_41_40.png

THe thing I dislike most about testing the benchmark, is that I can see every object, every shadow rendering in front of me within a 5m radius. It honestly feels like I'm watching an artist paint a movie, only they are doing it on the go. I've played games that have done rendering shadows+textures better than FFXV.

I still remember seeing the first XV demo gameplay on consoles, and noticing a ring around the player's feet, which was where everything would start to render in, like the shadows for one. As soon as I noticed it I couldn't stop seeing it happening everywhere. I was actually hoping that the devs would have greatly increased the rendering distance for both shadows and textures, but it seems nothing was done about that which is a damn shame. You can have the best looking game on the planet, but if everything starts rendering a foot or two in front of you, it greatly tosses away my immersion and feeling of a living breathing world, but instead looks like a slideshow being painted live. 

Games like that feel like they are built more for screenshots than actual entertainment.

I will have to re-run the test, but LOD draw in seemed to be decent at the max setting.
Bare in mind: I spent most of my time watching the framerate, and laughing at the poor camera work.

We've reached Friday! Here come the last news of the week:

SALES & "SALES"/DEALS

Like every Friday, not here...

SOFTWARE

Caffeine is a new 'social broadcasting' platform taking on Twitch with simpler, safer streaming
https://www.pcgamer.com/caffeine-is-a-new-social-broadcasting-platform-hoping-to-take-on-twitch-with-simpler-safer-streaming/
A pair of former Apple execs are looking to muscle in on Twitch's territory with a new "social broadcasting" platform called Caffeine that they say will dramatically simplify the process of online streaming.

Gabe Newell responds to Microsoft’s rumoured plans to acquire Valve
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/gabe-newell-responds-to-microsofts-rumoured-plans-to-acquire-valve/
Earlier this week, it was rumoured that Microsoft is interested in acquiring Electronic Arts or Valve. And while such a scenario seems unlikely, Gabe Newell responded to a fan who emailed him, asking whether the company was being bought by Microsoft. And… well… his answer will not shock you.

MODS/EMULATORS

New teaser trailer released for Skyblivion
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-teaser-trailer-released-for-skyblivion/
The team behind the Skyblivion mod for Skyrim has released a brand new teaser trailer for it. This new trailer showcases some new colorful weathers, new trees and flora, new clothing, new custom designed weapons, NPC schedules, remade textures and models, custom made creatures using custom behaviors and animations.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance will get a Game of Thrones total conversion mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/kingdom-come-deliverance-will-get-a-game-of-thrones-total-conversion-mod/
The Seven Kingdoms development team has announced that it will move its Game of Thrones total conversion mod, Seven Kingdoms (Game of Thrones), from Total War: ATTILA to Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Seven Kingdoms will be a total conversion mod based on and inspired by A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones.

Doom II: Annie mod will feature 16 new levels, new monsters, graphics, textures, fog effects & 3D floors
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/doom-ii-annie-mod-will-feature-16-new-levels-new-monsters-graphics-textures-fog-effects-3d-floors/
Modder ‘SJ85’ has announced that he has resumed the development of his Doom 2 project Annie. Doom II: Annie is a new mod that will feature 16 detailed new levels, divided into 4 distinct episodes. This mod will come with new monsters, textures, graphics, sounds and music.

>>I didn't knew that they were a thing, but turns out that this mod has a demo, and you can download it from moddb.

GAMING NEWS

Final Fantasy XV PC benchmark is now available for download
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/final-fantasy-xv-pc-benchmark-is-now-available-for-download/
The moment a lot of PC gamers have been waiting has finally arrived. At last, PC gamers can get a taste of the definitive edition of Final Fantasy XV as Square Enix has just released its PC benchmark. This benchmark tool will help players optimize their PCs ahead of the game’s launch.

>>Peh has made a thread about it, and here are some 4K screenshots of the benchmark.

This glitch in Final Fantasy XV benchmark will allow you to control Noctis and explore the environments
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/this-glitch-in-final-fantasy-xv-benchmark-will-allow-you-to-control-noctis-and-explore-the-environments/
Final Fantasy XV’s benchmark looks absolutely stunning on the PC and even though it gives you an idea of what you can expect from the retail game, we are certain that a lot of gamers would love to actually play it. And… well… thanks to a glitch you can actually control Noctis and explore the environments.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance gets a brand new gameplay trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/kingdom-come-deliverance-gets-a-brand-new-gameplay-trailer/
Deep Silver and Warhorse Studios have released a brand new gameplay trailer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, players take the role of Henry, a simple blacksmith’s son who must become a soldier, avenge the death of his parents and build a new life in a ravaged world.

New Injustice 2 patch adds HDR support, smooths Online matches, fixes stutters
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-injustice-2-patch-adds-hdr-support-smooths-online-matches-fixes-stutters/
Warner Bros and QLOC have released a new PC patch for Injustice 2. According to the release notes, this patch adds HDR support and adjusts the HDR brightness and colors.

Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter is now available on GOG without the Denuvo anti-tamper tech
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/sherlock-holmes-the-devils-daughter-is-now-available-on-gog-without-the-denuvo-anti-tamper-tech/
Frogwares has just released Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter on GOG. Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter is one of the games using the Denuvo anti-tamper tech on Steam and its GOG version is DRM-free, meaning that it’s no longer plagued by it.

Space Hulk: Tactics is a new Warhammer 40K turn-based tactical game, releasing later this year
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/space-hulk-tactics-is-a-new-warhammer-40k-turn-based-tactical-game-releasing-later-this-year/
Focus Home Interactive and Cyanide have announced a new turn-based tactical game that is based on the Warhammer 40K universe, Space Hulk: Tactics. In order to celebrate this announcement, the publisher revealed the game’s first screenshots that you can view below.

Far Cry 5 gets a story trailer
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/far-cry-5-gets-a-story-trailer/
Ubisoft has released a new story trailer for Far Cry 5. Set in America for the first time, in Montana, players will have total freedom to navigate this serene-looking yet deeply twisted world solo or entirely in two-player co-op as they fight for survival and freedom.

New Black Clover: Quartet Knights trailer focuses on the Zone Control game mode
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-black-clover-quartet-knights-trailer-focuses-on-the-zone-control-game-mode/
Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for Black Clover: Quartet Knights, focusing on its Zone Control mode. In Black Clover: Quartet Knights Zone Control game mode, teams of 4 players will need to capture zones from enemy teams and hold it until they win the round.

Friday news, part two:

Conan Exiles was partly inspired by the European migrant crisis
https://www.pcgamer.com/conan-exiles-was-partly-inspired-by-the-european-migrant-crisis/
Funcom's open-world survival game Conan Exiles celebrated its first Early Access anniversary yesterday, and looks forward to its full release later this year. The game's headline-grabbing dong slider went on to become PCGamer.com's most read news story of 2017—you're a dirty lot, you are—however its core themes drew inspiration from more serious, real world events.

New Vampyr dev diary is all about saving and killing citizens
https://www.pcgamer.com/new-vampyr-dev-diary-is-all-about-saving-and-killing-citizens/
Another episode of "Dontnod presents Vampyr," an aptly titled series of dev diaries exploring the studio's upcoming vampire action-RPG, is out today. The third episode, "Human After All," looks at the NPCs of Vampyr's London, and how protagonist Jonathan's treatment of them affects the game's story and RPG systems.

Dota 2 is moving to a bi-weekly update schedule
https://www.pcgamer.com/dota-2-is-moving-to-a-bi-weekly-update-schedule/
Nearly five years after the debut of Dota 2, lead developer IceFrog has decided that it's time to try something different. For the next six months, give or take, the huge, sweeping patches that followers are familiar with are out, and smaller, more frequent updates are in.

Slay the Spire developer considering more characters and events
https://www.pcgamer.com/slay-the-spire-developer-considering-more-characters-and-events/
Card game roguelike Slay the Spire is hot on Steam and Twitch right now, and for good reason. It's a brilliant genre mash-up despite some late-game issues, and even in its current, truncated, Early Access state, it's a pretty absorbing experience. So players are understandably keen to know what content is coming up, which we found a little more about in a recent interview with developer Mega Crit Games over at RockPaperShotgun.

Rainbow Six Siege 'Outbreak' event will bring alien parasites, three new PvE maps
https://www.pcgamer.com/rainbow-six-siege-outbreak-event-will-bring-alien-parasites-three-new-pve-maps/
The Rainbow Six Siege: Operation Chimera tease-fest continues today with a new trailer hinting at the outer-space origins of the Outbreak that will signal the start of Year 3, and finally revealing the names of the two new Operators who have been brought in to help clean it up.

Try the demo for military RPG Long Gone Days
https://www.pcgamer.com/try-the-demo-for-military-rpg-long-gone-days/
Long Gone Days is a modern military RPG which developer Bura describes as an eclectic mix of visual novels and shooters. It will launch on Steam Early Access in March and fully release later this year, and it already has a free Steam demo you can try.

Onrush, a racer by former Motorstorm and Driveclub devs, will come to PC
https://www.pcgamer.com/onrush-a-racer-by-former-motorstorm-and-driveclub-devs-will-come-to-pc/
You probably haven't heard much about Onrush, because until now, Codemasters' new arcade racer had only been announced for PS4 and Xbox One. When Sony closed its first-party studio Evolution in 2016, which was responsible for the Motorstorm and Driveclub games, Codemasters recruited a bunch of the talent involved, and Onrush is the result.
Anyway, the console versions are set to launch on June 5, but today in a newly published FAQ, Codemasters has confirmed that it will be "blasting its way onto PC at a later date".

Destiny 2 update promises "go faster" Guardians are on the way
https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-update-promises-go-faster-guardians-are-on-the-way/
In an update posted today, design lead Josh Hamrick revealed some of the Sandbox changes that are currently being tested for what the development team is now referring to as the "Go Fast Update." The idea, he said, is to enable more "hero moments" by making players faster and stronger, and boosting the effectiveness of Power weapons.

The Forest will flee Early Access this April
https://www.pcgamer.com/the-forest-will-flee-out-of-early-access-this-april/
The Forest, one of many survival games to hit Steam's Early Access over the past four years, will launch into 1.0 this April. The announcement was made in a new Steam Community post, where studio Endlight Games also outlined what the launch will entail.

PUBG to disable Steam family sharing in bid to halt cheaters
https://www.pcgamer.com/pubg-to-disable-steam-family-sharing-in-bid-to-halt-cheaters/
Since its full release late last year, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds developer PUBG Corp has sought to boost game performance and come down hard on cheaters. With the latter in mind, an early version of a "new anti-cheat solution"—which was hinted at last week—will roll out on live servers next week. A new update explains what it's all about.

Play Fallout 4 for free from now until Sunday, and buy it at 50% off
https://www.pcgamer.com/play-fallout-4-for-free-this-weekend/
If you've been waiting for just the right moment to finally dive into Fallout 4, it's here. Fallout 4 is free to play on PC right now, and this free period lasts until Sunday, February 4. During that time, the base game is 50% off (Steam says this 'weekend deal' lasts until February 12, which may either be an error or an exceptionally long weekend).
Other discounts during the free weekend: 40% off Fallout 4 Game of the Year Edition (which includes all the DLC) and 50% off the season pass.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is free to try this weekend
https://www.pcgamer.com/rock-of-ages-2-bigger-boulder-is-free-to-try-this-weekend/
When games use puns in their titles, it makes telling opening paragraph jokes that bit harder. Harder. Like a rock. Urgh, see what I mean? Anyway, Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder is free to try this weekend on Steam, and is half price from now through Monday, February 5.

Time now to take a look at the rest of GOG and Steam deals for this weekend:

+GOG

GOG has three sales for us:

• The first one is the weekly sale, dubbed I CAME FOR THE EXPERIENCE: https://www.gog.com/promo/20180129_weekly_sale
• The next one is a Detective Stories sale. Can you guess what kind of games we'll find? https://www.gog.com/promo/20180201_detective_stories
• Lastly, there's the Spiderweb Software sale: https://www.gog.com/promo/20180131_spiderweb

+Steam

It's hard to believe it, but besides the Fallout 4 and Rock of Ages 2 deals, there's still something else on Steam for us:

• XCom 2 is 67% off, but only until tomorrow: http://store.steampowered.com/app/268500/XCOM_2/
• We have the publisher's weekend, this time with Telltale Games, with discounts up to 80%: http://store.steampowered.com/sale/telltale_weekend/
• And of course, the 1027 weeklong deals.

And that's all. Have a happy and gaming weekend... and you, viv, have also a placid and stress-free build.