Going from floppy to hard drive did it for many. Kids these days will never know a moment so liberating...

The Thursday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

Detroit Become Human has sold over 6 million copies worldwide
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/detroit-become-human-has-sold-over-6-million-copies-worldwide/
Quantic Dream has announced the long-lasting success of its video game Detroit: Become Human, which just passed 6 million units sold worldwide. Additionally, the game has sold 1 million copies on PC as of July 6th, 2021.

New World beta hits 190,000 concurrent players on Steam
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/new-world-beta-hits-190000-concurrent-players-on-steam/
It felt like it'd been forever since we'd had a big MMO launch—until this summer. Between Crowfall, Swords of Legends Online, and Amazon's upcoming New World, there's now a sudden glut of them. But of those three, New World seems to be the most popular, judging by the 190,000 players who jumped into its closed beta simultaneously yesterday.
According to SteamDB, New World peaked at 190,811 concurrent players and currently has just over 160,000 playing. That's enough to make New World the fourth biggest game on Steam, just ahead of Grand Theft Auto 5 and Apex Legends. It's also dominating on Twitch, where it's currently the second most popular game with just over 300,000 viewers.

Battlefield 1 is now available for free on Prime Gaming
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/battlefield-1-is-now-available-for-free-on-prime-gaming/
Electronic Arts and Amazon are currently offering Battlefield 1 for free on Prime Gaming. In addition, the teams will be offering Battlefield 5 for free on August 2nd.
Amazon Prime members have the ability to claim one game code for Battlefield 1 Standard Edition until 4th August 2021. The code will be eligible to redeem on Origin until 20th August 2021.

Steam has two new daily deals:

• The first one is Supraland, that has a demo and it's 60% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/813630/Supraland/
• The second one is Do Not Feed the Monkeys, 70% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/658850/Do_Not_Feed_the_Monkeys/

There's a new Humble Bundle: The Humble Hearts of Iron Bundle with up to 8 items (game and DLCs) to get during the next 20 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/games/hearts-of-iron .

And Fanatical's new Star Deal is Breach & Clear, 93% off during the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/breach-and-clear

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SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

Microsoft says it's fixed an issue in Windows 10 Game Mode that 'results in lower frame rates'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/microsoft-says-its-fixed-an-issue-in-windows-10-game-mode-that-results-in-lower-frame-rates/
If you are still experiencing gameplay issues in Windows 10—and specifically stuttering and lower than expected frame rates—hang tight, a cure for what ails your PC is coming. Hopefully, anyway. It's worth remembering that it was a previous Windows update that caused these performance woes on some PCs in the first place.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Skyrim gets a cool Castlevania inspired mod, first episode released
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/skyrim-gets-a-cool-castlevania-inspired-mod-first-episode-released/
Lordkarnak has released a pretty cool mod for Skyrim Special Edition that is heavily inspired by Konami’s Castlevania franchise. In this mod, players will battle their way through the Night Horde of Dracula. Players can also find hidden accessories, craft Castlevania-related weapons and defeat Shaft.
Lordkarnak has so far released the first episode of this mod. In this first episode, players will travel through Abandoned Castle, Baljhet Mountains and Garibaldi Temple in search of a way to stop the resurrection of Dracula.
This mod introduces Alucard and Innocent Devil as your followers. However, and contrary to the followers of Skyrim, you cannot issue commands to them. Instead, you’ll have to fight by their side.
Moreover, this mod brings enemies from Castlevania. As such, you will fight skeletons, cyclops, and zombies. Additionally, you can find some bosses (the first episode includes the Crazy Armor boss fight).
>> You'll find it at Nexus Mods.

Modder adds AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution to Skyrim VR, Fallout 4 VR, and more
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/modder-adds-amd-fidelityfx-super-resolution-to-skyrim-vr-fallout-4-vr-and-more/
An enterprising modder has added AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology to SteamVR (via Sweclockers). This gives supported VR games a much-needed boost to frame rates while maintaining decent image quality. Sounds like a good use of the tech to me, and given Nvidia's DLSS 2.1 also added support for some VR titles, and means there is some parity between the two technologies.
(...)
The modder in question is fholger, who admits that there may be a few issues with FSR being implemented at this stage in the rendering pipeline, particularly when it comes to antialiasing. Some experimentation may be needed, in other words.

GAMING NEWS

Wolfire Games released a free Unreal Engine 5 shooter, Low Light Combat
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/wolfire-games-released-a-free-unreal-engine-5-shooter-low-light-combat/
Wolfire Games has released a new Unreal Engine 5 demo/game that you can download right now from Steam. Low Light Combat is a free competitive multiplayer shooter where light is your only weapon.

New Company of Heroes 3 gameplay trailers show Dynamic Campaign Map & RTS Boot Camp
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-company-of-heroes-3-gameplay-trailers-show-dynamic-campaign-map-rts-boot-camp/
SEGA and Relic have released two new gameplay trailers for Company of Heroes 3. These trailers will bring players up to speed on the basics of Company of Heroes 3 as well as the brand-new Dynamic Campaign Map & optional Full Tactical Pause feature.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 gets a new free expansion, Butcher’s Banquet
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/sniper-ghost-warrior-contracts-2-gets-a-new-free-expansion-butchers-banquet/
CI Games has released a new free expansion for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2. Titled, ‘Butcher’s Banquet’, the update is free for all players and is immediately available as a patch to the main game.

The Ascent gets a Gameplay Deep Dive
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/the-ascent-gets-a-gameplay-deep-dive/
Microsoft has released a new video for The Ascent in which we go in-depth with the Neon Giant team on their new ARPG game. Neon Giant co-founders Arcade Berg, and Tor Frick, along with Alexander Litvinov Fominski (Lead World Designer) breakdown the game’s world design, combat, player interactions, and more.

Vigilance 2099 looks like the PREY 2 game you’ve always wanted
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/vigilance-2099-looks-like-the-prey-2-game-youve-always-wanted/
In 2019, we informed you about a new indie game that is heavily inspired by Blade Runner and the cancelled PREY 2 game, Vigilance 2099. And today, we are happy to report that NasNakarus has released a brand new gameplay video for it.

Thursday news, part two:

Valve kicks off $1 million art contest for new Counter-Strike skins
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/valve-kicks-off-dollar1-million-art-contest-for-new-counter-strike-skins/
A "finish" is CS:GO’s official terminology for a skin: As defined at counter-strike.net, they "can be applied to a weapon and that weapon will have an appearance ranging from factory new to battle-scarred.(...)
The $1 Million Dreams and Nightmares Content Contest announced today is offering ten prizes of $100,000 each for "original and shippable, dream-themed weapon finishes" for CS:GO. The full rules are here, but the basics are simple: You can work solo or as part of a team, submitted work must be completely original, and all you need to get in on the action is a Steam account in good standing and with at least $5 in purchases on record.
>> If you decide to take part in it, good luck.

Ubisoft wins $150,000 lawsuit against Rainbow Six Siege DDoS operation
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-wins-dollar150000-lawsuit-against-rainbow-six-siege-ddos-operation/
In January 2020, Ubisoft filed a lawsuit against the operators of SNG.one, a website that allegedly offered to provide DDoS attacks against online games including Rainbow Six Siege. In a default judgment rendered earlier this month, the US District Court for the Central District of California found in Ubisoft's favor and awarded it more than $153,000.

Fortnite taps Ferrari for its first licensed car
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ferrari-fortnite/
Ferrari, the 80-something-year-old company that makes luxury cars that are probably more expensive than your entire house, is joining up with Fortnite for the first crossover of its kind. Based on some official teasers from both the Fortnite and Ferrari Twitter accounts, it looks like players will be able to drive Ferrari’s 296 GTB model in-game starting tomorrow.

Ubisoft Singapore employees face a 'French ceiling,' report says
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/ubisoft-singapore-employees-face-a-french-ceiling-report-says/
In November 2020, Ubisoft Singapore managing director Hugues Ricour was removed from his post following a leadership audit sparked by a Gamasutra report of abuse and misconduct throughout Ubisoft. (...)
A new report by Kotaku goes deeper into the working conditions at the studio both under and after Ricour's leadership, with multiple accounts of serious issues including failures to address sexual harassment complaints, pay disparities between local and expatriate employees, and a "French ceiling" (Ubisoft is based in Paris) that makes it difficult for employees from other countries to advance.
>> Leaving the other, more serious, things aside, how do they want to advance within Ubisoft if they haven't been able to finish a game in 8+ years?

Activision Blizzard lawsuit alleges discrimination, sexual harassment, and 'frat boy' culture
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/activision-blizzard-lawsuit-alleges-discrimination-sexual-harassment-and-frat-boy-culture/
The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard with claims that employees have faced "constant sexual harassment, including groping, comments, and advances" due to a "frat boy workplace culture". The suit, which comes after over two years of investigation, also alleges that women at Activision Blizzard were paid less than men in the same roles and promoted more slowly than them. Activision Blizzard has vigorously denied the claims in a response today.

Hades wins GDC Game of the Year, Umurangi Generation wins IGF Grand Prize
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/hades-wins-gdc-game-of-the-year-umurangi-generation-wins-igf-grand-prize/
As part of the all-digital 2021 Game Developers Conference, the Game Developers Choice Awards and the Independent Game Festival Awards were hosted on Twitch this year. In the GDC Awards the big winner was Supergiant Games' action-roguelike-visual novel Hades, which won Game of the Year as well as Best Design and Best Audio. I'm sure those will all look nice on the pile next to the other trophies Hades has racked up, including two Golden Joystick Awards, five BAFTAs, two Game Awards, two Gayming Awards, five D.I.C.E. Awards, and a Nebula for Best Game Writing.

Final Fantasy 14 director says the new AFK timer shouldn't ruin the fun
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/final-fantasy-14-director-says-the-new-afk-timer-shouldnt-ruin-the-fun/
Final Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida still wants you to have fun mucking about in the game, even with the recently added AFK kick function.

Thanks to @QUAKECore89 for pointing this out on disco:

I had a feeling this would happen, since Ebay recently nuked Deck pre-order scalping, so it makes sense that if the scalpers cannot scalp the deck itself, that they would then move on to scalping the drives ppl would want to upgrade the device with. Still petty and scummy though. That scalper law needs to be made a worldwide law, because this is getting silly now. 

AMD RDNA 3 GPUs To Be More Power Efficient Than NVIDIA Ada Lovelace GPUs, Navi 31 & Navi 33 Tape Out Later This Year

https://wccftech.com/amd-rdna-3-gpus-to-be-more-power-efficient-than-nvidia-ada-lovelace-gpus-navi-31-navi-33-tape-out-later-this-year/

Now there's quite a lot of tweets which is pretty easy to scroll through if you are interested but essentially, AMD is giving it's all with this RDNA 3. Nvidia gonna have a hard time competing with Lovelace if these rumours are true. I think there's a good change RDNA 3 will beat Lovelace.


PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 XT with 8GB GDDR6 memory listed by New Zealand retailer

https://videocardz.com/newz/powercolor-radeon-rx-6600-xt-with-8gb-gddr6-memory-listed-by-new-zealand-retailer

With shit prices of course

Design-related EVGA problem instead of NVIDIA issue? EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 vs. Amazon’s New World and first insights | Exclusive

https://www.igorslab.de/en/evga-geforce-rtx-3090-vs-amazons-new-world-design-caused-evga-problem/

"As I was able to find out, it is not an area of the voltage converter that is affected by the failure, but the “Fan Control IC”, i.e. the chip for the actual fan control, which is said to be completely burnt out in the worst case. We do remember that EVGA is also working with various additional temperature sensors on the board to better adjust the cooling, based on my research at the time. This is also evidenced by submissions from the aggrieved parties who reported extreme fan whine."

"In addition, there are also countless safety mechanisms on the Turing and Ampere cards that monitor currents and temperatures. So you wouldn’t need this solution at all, because measuring in the chip (NVIDIA) is still more accurate than beside the chip (EVGA), especially since the sensors used are quite sluggish. But why the chip for the fan control should burn out now, probably only the board layouters at EVGA themselves know. It is interesting and a good indicator in this context that NVIDIA has already asked the other board partners whether they also use such designs."

Oh Evga, how low have you fallen. We will see what the actual reasons are but there does seem to be a high failure rate with Evga 3090s according to some people and if that's true and if this is the reason, it's quite a shame. Asus really is the go to GPU for Nvidia AIB this generation. TUF and Strix are both very well made and have some of the best PCB designs out there (according to buildzoid). It just sucks they are so hard to get.

Also my sister's Alienware M15 R5 with the 5800H and 3070 laptop has arrived!



The keyboard has a mechanical blue switch per key RGB but man. I tried typing on it and it feels ridiculously good. The screen also has no backlight bleed and gets super bright. It's very comparable to my XPS 17 which has a 500 nit display. I'd say it's a bit dimmer but a lot more bright than the old Asus gaming laptop which has 300 nits. So it's probably around 400sh if I had to guess. The speakers are mehish. I did update all the software/BIOS and got rid of most of the bloat. The new BIOS update enabled the MUX switch which this panel isn't supposed to have. Least it wasn't advertised on the website so it should put it in line with other 3070s. I did check the cuda cores and it does have the full amount. The noise when gaming in balance mode is good. I did buy her a laptop stand so she doesn't use it on her bed.

The build overall is solid. The Asus laptops I usually get are mostly plastic except the lid where as this is mostly metal. I am asically fangirling because I always wanted to get an Alienware and now we have one even though it's for my sister. I think my next dedicated gaming laptop might be Alienware but I might delay it until Lovelace/RDNA 3.

We see if Igorslabs turn out true but this make a lot of sense to me since I never understood how all the protections NVidia have built in for awhile now could allow this.  A chip EVGA added to the card and not part of NVidia design and probably a completely unnecessary solution burning out make sense to me.

On a some what related note Amazon put out a statement today saying they patch the game to cap the FPS on the menu.

Nice one grats, looks awesome. Never owned an Alienware before though always been envious of the industrial design and build of their PC's. Love that most of the higher spec ones have mechanical keys standard and better quality screens. Gone are the days of mushy keys and crappy TN panels.

Beast of a laptop in specs and even outdoes a lot of desktops, including mine lol. Enjoy!

Thanks! It was surprisingly cheap for an Alienware. Typically Alienware laptops with 3070s around here costs $2500-2700 including discounts. This one costed $1700 including discounts thanks to the Ryzen CPU. I will say the alienware command center which is what you use to control RGB and etc is very confusing.  Like it looks pretty but the UI makes like no sense. Least the battery life is amazing. It's comparable to my Dell XPS 17 which has an i7 8 core and 2060 Max Q which is effectively a potato compared to this beast! Of course the XPS 17 is slim and etc but still. We have come a long way from shit 2 hour battery days on these gaming laptops.

If you know what I mean