The CEO of the (totally) Slightly Mad Studios has shared the renders of their console's controllers...

So much bling...

Can this so called console get more ridiculous?

Battery life of the controllers... more or less than one hour?

With so many lights and that screen, I'll give it two or three hours.

And a price tag of at least 100 $/€.

That controller looks like it's riding the RGB fad to the extreme.
It doesn't look comfortable to hold either.

I wish PoE was made entirely with ARPG gameplay mind, rather than an obvious turn based/pause style (lumping it in with pause)

Wensd, Wensd, Wdens... the news:

SALES & DEALS

Get Tyranny, Shadow Tactics, Pillars of the Earth, and more in the new Humble Bundle
https://www.pcgamer.com/get-tyranny-shadow-tactics-pillars-of-the-earth-and-more-in-the-new-humble-bundle/
The Humble Caffeine Bundle is not about coffee (or whatever stimulant delivery vehicle you prefer), but the "social broadcasting platform" that debuted early last year. And it's a good one, too, beginning with Headlander, GoNNER Blueberry Edition, Treadnauts, and Caffeine itself (although as far as I know that's free anyway so it's not exactly a big selling point here) for a minimum of $1. Customers in the UK will also get a discount offer for Overclockers UK.
>> And remember that the Humble Store's Winter Sale will end tomorrow. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check it out again for the new deals they've been adding.

At GOG there's a Midweek Sale, the HOT SALE, with more than 100 games up to 90% off.
And that's not all, because they're giving away for free the game DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition for the next 48 hours: https://www.gog.com/game/distraint_deluxe_edition

At Steam, there's a new daily deal and two Midweek Madness deals:

• The daily deal is The Colonists, 25% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/677340/The_Colonists/
• MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD is 34% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/582010/MONSTER_HUNTER_WORLD/
• And Steep is 60% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/460920/Steep/

And at Fanatical, there are two new deals:

• Hitman Game of the Year Edition is the Star Deal, 81% off for the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/hitman-game-of-the-year-edition
• The Resident Evil games are on sale, up to 77% off for the next 6 days: https://www.fanatical.com/en/franchises/resident-evil

SOFTWARE/DRIVERS

Yakuza Kiwami may not be using the Denuvo anti-tamper tech
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/yakuza-kiwami-will-not-be-using-the-denuvo-anti-tamper-tech/
Yesterday, we informed you about the PC release of Yakuza Kiwami and today we are happy to report that this new Yakuza game will not be using the Denuvo anti-tamper tech. This information comes straight from Steam’s database so it is really trustworthy.
Now while Steam’s database specifically states that the developers have removed the Denuvo anti-tamper tech (and contrary to Yakuza 0’s Steam store page, Yakuza Kiwami’s page does not list the Denuvo anti-tamper tech), SEGA may re-implement at launch (because reasons). If something like that actually happens, SEGA will be the one to be blamed here for intentionally removing and then re-adding Denuvo.
>> Who else thinks that Sega will end adding it before the game launches?

MODS/EMULATORS

Modder uses AI Neural Upscaling to improve the textures of Half-Life’s NPCs
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/modder-uses-ai-neural-upscaling-to-improve-the-textures-of-half-life-npcs/
Earlier this month, we informed you about an ESRGAN mod for the first Half-Life that used AI-enhanced techniques in order to improve the game’s environmental textures. And today, we are presenting you another AI-enhanced texture pack that aims to overhaul the textures of NPCs.
Modder ‘LeonelC’ ran the NPC textures through various Neural Upscaling programs, mixed the best results, and made the final touches himself in order to get the most sharp-looking textures without ruining the original material.
Unfortunately the modder did not release any screenshots or videos to showcase the improved textures (other than this promo image). Still, Half-Life fans can use this pack alongside the ESRGAN textures for the environments in order to play an authentic and remastered version of this classic first-person shooter.
>> Why are there so many ESRGAN mods all of a sudden? Anyway, get this mod from ModDB.

GAMING NEWS

New Metro Exodus trailer packs new gameplay footage, focuses on the game’s weapons
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-metro-exodus-trailer-packs-new-gameplay-footage-focuses-on-the-games-weapons/
Deep Silver and 4A Games today revealed the Metro Exodus Weapons Trailer. Packed with brand new footage and tear-downs of the hand-made guns of post-apocalyptic Russia, this trailer reveals the devastating arsenal of weapons used by Artyom and his band of Spartans as they journey across Russia.

First Catherine Classic beta patch fixes 30fps bug, improves mouse controls
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/first-catherine-classic-beta-patch-fixes-30fps-bug-improve-mouse-controls/
SEGA has released the first PC beta patch for Catherine Classic. According to the release notes, this patch addresses the camera and animations bugs that forced the game to run at 30fps during the puzzles and cut-scenes.

Resident Evil 2 Remake PC demo was based on the latest build, final version suffers from same issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/resident-evil-2-remake-pc-demo-was-based-on-the-latest-build-final-version-suffers-from-same-issues/
On January 11th, Capcom released the PC demo for Resident Evil 2 Remake. A lot of players assumed that this PC demo was based on an older build, however it appears that it is actually based on the final build that will be available in a couple of days to all customers.

Bethesda debunks the Fallout 76 free to play rumours
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bethesda-debunks-the-fallout-76-free-to-play-rumours/
A new rumour surfaced yesterday, suggesting that Fallout 76 would be going free to play. This rumour was based on a report that EB Games was removing physical copies of Fallout 76 from its shelves and while this could be true, it appears that Bethesda does not plan to turn Fallout 76 into a free to play game.

Crytek and Improbable are working on a triple-A multiplayer game using CRYENGINE and SpatialOS
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/crytek-and-improbable-are-working-on-a-triple-a-multiplayer-game-using-cryengine-and-spatialos/
Crytek has announced that it is currently working with Improbable for a new AAA game, built using CRYENGINE and SpatialOS. Crytek claimed that it is excited about the possibilities for developers offered by SpatialOS and its next-generation multiplayer gameplay, and this new game will aim to showcase these possibilities.

The news, part two:

A Fisherman's Tale is a VR game where you break reality, out today
https://www.pcgamer.com/a-fishermans-tale-is-a-vr-game-where-you-break-reality-out-today/
Most VR games make me feel a little bit disorientated, but just watching A Fisherman’s Tale’s launch trailer—check it out above—makes my brain do somersaults.

Suleiman and the Ottomans bring warlike ways to Civilization 6: Gathering Storm
https://www.pcgamer.com/suleiman-and-the-ottomans-bring-warlike-ways-to-civilization-6-gathering-storm/
Fraser said last week that the addition of Sweden to Civilization 6 in the Gathering Storm expansion will be just the thing for players who prefer cultural or diplomatic victories over the more traditional route of violent imperialism. If, on the other hand, violent imperialism is really your bag, then allow me to introduce Suleiman the Magnificent, head honcho of the Ottoman Empire.

It looks like Resident Evil 2 Remake will get PSOne-era character skins
https://www.pcgamer.com/it-looks-like-resident-evil-2-remake-will-get-psone-era-character-skins/
Resident Evil 2 Remake is getting very favourable reviews, especially from us: Andy called it a "tense, challenging, and beautiful remake of a classic survival horror game". But it does have one glaring problem, and that's its flagrant lack of chunky, eerily robotic-looking 1990s polygons. Apparently that will change, though.

Star Citizen has cost nearly $200 million so far
https://www.pcgamer.com/star-citizen-has-cost-nearly-dollar200-million-so-far/
Star Citizen has raised over $200 million since Cloud Imperium Games started looking for funding in 2012, and a financial breakdown from late last year reveals how a lot of that money has been spent between 2012 and 2017. In that time, Cloud Imperium has spent over $193 million, and almost $50 million just in 2017.

PUBG update adds snowbikes and pretty moonlit nights to Vikendi
https://www.pcgamer.com/pubg-update-adds-snowbikes-and-pretty-moonlit-nights-to-vikendi/
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds’ new snow map, Vikendi, has been given some extra attention today. Along with bug fixes and quality of life tweaks, you’ll be able to get your hands on a new weapon, new attachment and the nimble snowbike. Vikendi’s loot balance has also been changed, and you can see how that will affect weapon spawns in this developer letter.

Life is Strange 2's second episode sees the return of Captain Spirit
https://www.pcgamer.com/life-is-strange-2s-second-episode-sees-the-return-of-captain-spirit/
Life is Strange 2 launches tomorrow, January 24, but you can get a taste of the teen drama, tragedy and superpowers in the launch trailer above. Keep your eyes peeled for the return of Captain Spirit, protagonist of the free Life is Strange spin-off, too.

Wargroove gets a release date, and it's next week
https://www.pcgamer.com/wargroove-gets-a-release-date-and-its-next-week/
Chucklefish's turn-based strategy game Wargroove has at last got a release date: 1st of February. It was revealed in a Nintendo indie-focused stream with a new trailer, which you can watch above. We knew the game was on-course for an early 2019 release date, but we didn't realise it would be this soon. The game has a refreshed Steam page to celebrate—though you can't preorder it yet, Wargroove will cost a nice and lean $20/£16.

Ion Maiden just got its second level
https://www.pcgamer.com/ion-maiden-just-got-its-second-level/
Ion Maiden is one of our most-anticipated shooters of 2019, due for completion in Q2. Today a surprise update added its long-awaited second chapter, "Heskel's House of Horrors," a sprawling mansion map.

Get your first look at everything that's coming to League of Legends in 2019
https://www.pcgamer.com/get-your-first-look-at-everything-thats-coming-to-league-of-legends-in-2019/
Riot Games has posted a sneak peek at what’s coming to League of Legends across 2019, teasing future game modes, the new Marvel comics, tournament venues and a new support champion. Check out the video below.

"Why are there so many ESRGAN mods all of a sudden?"

My guess would be that more people have heard of it, plus desire to remain as true to original textures as possible, just getting higher res in process...and using ESRGAN seems like easiest way to do it with good results.

Yes, there's that. But, I don't know, it's like if the software used for it had suddently become widespread, and that's why there are so many people using it.

Not that I'm complaining, of course, but it's just something I've been wondering as of late.

It's most likely awareness of it...like with waifu2x for upscaling pixel art.