Oo scored a deal there. $1700 is a great price with a 3070 in it, never mind an Alienware one. I do wish manufacturers would standardize software for RGB, there's so many doing their own thing and some are just flat horrible to use like Gigabyte's RGB Fusion.

I remember my old chonka of a laptop (Core 2 Duo) that only lasted 2-3 hours or less when gaming. Now we have super sleek laptops at near desktop performance and decent battery life and doesn't even cost much more than a normal desktop without a monitor!

And lol at the fire extinguisher xD

Jaystwocents did some initial testing with Evga 3090 + New World. Now this is after a patch that amazon released that capped the menu to 60.

While the card didn't break... There were some wtf things.

Firstly at 57% core utilization, it was drawing nearly 100% power. And the more weird thing is that they capped the power limiter at 107% but the actual power draw % was at around 120%...

They tested with an MSI card and that stayed within the power limits so it's certainly an Evga thing in their testing. It was also making some weird noises but the card ended up not dying so maybe whatever the problem the game had got fixed? He did talk to Evga customer service for those that are broken and they are already getting replacements so they don't have to wait long to get replacements. He also said people have been contacting him with other cards having issues with this game:

Idk how legit that is but FTW3 3090 is certainly the most popular.

I'ma be brutal and just say that NW looks pretty generic as fuck for an MMO. I was watching snippets of early gameplay on Disco servers and the game straight up looks like XIV, just less shiny and vivid, and well, generic like most MMO's out there, and yet that game bricks multiple GPU's....

I swear Amazon has no clue on how to make an MMO, let alone a non generic one.

I think BDO had semi decent visuals, but they gender locked classes and made the game more PVP/"community driven" (as in letting users fuck over and control territory/markets), so fuck'em for that. 

Yea I never even heard of this game until all this fuss about GPUs dying. Least I can add to the reason of me not playing it lol.

Not really a good look when your game starts melting GPU's xP

----

Dead Space (remake) teaser

"The sci-fi survival horror classic Dead Space returns, completely rebuilt from the ground up by Motive Studios to offer a deeper and more immersive experience. Harnessing the power of the Frostbite game engine and next generation consoles, this remake brings jaw-dropping visual fidelity and improvements to gameplay while staying true to the original. Dead Space will be available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Isaac Clarke is an everyman engineer on a mission to repair a vast, sprawling starship, the USG Ishimura, only to discover something has gone horribly wrong. The ship's crew has been slaughtered and infected by some alien scourge...and Isaac’s beloved partner, Nicole, is lost somewhere on board.

Now Isaac is alone with only his tools and engineering skills as he attempts to uncover the nightmarish mystery of what happened aboard the Ishimura. Trapped with hostile creatures called “necromorphs”, Isaac faces a battle for survival, not only against the escalating terrors of the ship, but his own crumbling sanity."

It's time for the Friday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

At the Epic Store, the free games this week are two: Defense Grid: The Awakening and Verdun.
And next week, the free games will be "Mothergunship" and "Train Sim World 2".

The Humble Store has a new EA World of Play Sale, with up to 85% discounts on EA games during the next 6 days. It goes without saying that the keys are for Origin: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/ea-world-of-play-sale/

Fanatical has a new bundle, the BYO Slayer Bundle 2. with 19 games to choose your 3. 5 or 7 games bundle: https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-slayer-bundle-2

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

This mod brings the cast of the Devil May Cry series to Yakuza: Like a Dragon
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/this-mod-brings-the-cast-of-the-devil-may-cry-series-to-yakuza-like-a-dragon/
Devil May Cry and Yakuza fans, here is something for you today. JaseShifty has released a mod that changes the characters of Yakuza: Like a Dragon with those from the Devil May Cry series.
Additionally, this mod changes some skills and basic attacks in order to feel more like an immersive DMC mod.
>> Available from Nexus Mods.

Someone has remade all the levels from Project IGI 1 & 2 in Far Cry 5
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/someone-has-remade-all-the-levels-from-project-igi-1-2-in-far-cry-5/
PC old-school FPS fans, here is something for you today. Modder ‘gregorpl123’ has remade all the levels from the classic FPS games, Project IGI and Project IGI 2, in Far Cry 5.
This project is similar in scope to the one we shared a while, in which another modder recreated all the levels from Goldeneye 64 in Far Cry 5.
What this basically means is that you can play all the original missions of these two games in Far Cry 5. The modder has also included some soldiers to fight. As such, this mod feels like an – unpolished – remaster of these two games.
In order to find and access the Project IGI and Project IGI 2 maps, you’ll have to search for “Project IGI” and “IGI 2”. And that’s it.

GAMING NEWS

eFootball will not feature any offline modes, you’ll have to purchase Master League as DLC
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/efootball-will-not-feature-any-offline-mode-youll-have-to-purchase-master-league-as-dlc/
Yesterday, Konami announced that its PES series will be now called eFootball and will be a free-to-play game. However, Konami has now revealed that its F2P soccer game will not be coming without any Offline Modes. As such, players will have to wait and purchase the game’s Offline Modes (like Master League) whenever they become available. And no, they won’t be available at launch.
>> I guess Konami wants to kill the franchise.

EA and Codemasters announced GRID Legends, coming out in 2022
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/ea-and-codemasters-announced-grid-legends/
Electronic Arts and Codemasters announced the next part in the GRID series, GRID Legends. GRID Legends is a high-stakes driving experience that combines thrilling motorsport action, incredible race variety and an immersive story that puts the player at the heart of the action. GRID Legends will release in 2022 and you can find below its debut trailer!

First gameplay trailer for Battlefield 2042’s new community-driven mode, Battlefield Portal
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-gameplay-trailer-for-battlefield-2042s-new-community-driven-mode-battlefield-portal/
Electronic Arts and DICE have officially revealed a new game mode for Battlefield 2042, Battlefield Portal. Battlefield Portal is an all-new, community-driven platform where players will be able to change the rules of war by creating, sharing and discovering unexpected battles from Battlefield’s iconic past, present, and future.

New King’s Bounty II trailer introduces Katharine
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-kings-bounty-ii-trailer-introduces-katharine/
1C Entertainment and Prime Matter have revealed the second of three playable characters for King’s Bounty II. This new trailer introduces, Katharine, a human mage who prefers the power of word, intrigue, and magic rather than open confrontation with the enemy.

Friday news, part two:

Heist Simulator lets you design and share your own devious heist levels
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/heist-simulator-lets-you-design-and-share-your-own-devious-heist-levels/
From GTA 5 to Monaco to Payday 2, I never get tired of pulling off heists in videogames. Putting together a team of colorful, highly skilled characters. Using stealth, subterfuge, and coordination to infiltrate a secure location. Stealing something valuable or getting completely busted. You son of a bitch, I'm in.

Mismanagement and cut costs doomed Warcraft 3: Reforged, a new report finds
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/mismanagement-and-cut-costs-doomed-warcraft-3-reforged-a-new-report-finds/
Warcraft 3 Reforged's underwhelming release was the result of budget cuts, mismanagement, and internal disputes, a recently-released report from Bloomberg has found.

Genshin Impact is getting a Horizon Zero Dawn crossover
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/genshin-impact-is-getting-a-horizon-zero-dawn-crossover/
Genshin Impact is getting its first crossover event with Horizon Zero Dawn's Aloy.
MiHoYo announced the collaboration on Twitter, revealing that she'll be a cryo, bow-wielding character and also completely free. That makes her the first five-star character to be given away in Genshin Impact without needing to roll on a banner, which is pretty dang neat. As long as you're at least adventure rank 20, she'll land in your mailbox as soon as the event kicks off.

Apex Legends reveals Seer's powerful tracking abilities
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/apex-legends-reveals-seers-powerful-tracking-abilities/
There's nowhere to hide from Apex Legends' new character, the "stealth-oriented" tracker Seer. The next legend was fully unveiled today during the EA Play 2021 live stream as part of Apex's next season, which is called Emergence. Gameplay is coming Monday, but for now, we have a very flashy animated short that introduces the new season, the new Rampage LMG, and some upcoming changes to the World's Edge map.

Dark fairytale adventure Lost in Random rolls up this September
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dark-fairytale-adventure-lost-in-random-rolls-up-this-september/
At EA Play we got a nice long look at Lost in Random, the upcoming combat adventure from Zoink Games, makers of Fe. In this coming-of-age fairytale with a Tim Burton-esque style, you play as Even, a little girl searching for her sister, Odd, who has been abducted by an evil queen. Along for the adventure is Even's friend Dicey, a six-sided die that scampers around on little stick legs when it's not clinging to her shoulders like a backpack.

7 top Borderlands 3 developers have reportedly left Gearbox
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/seven-top-borderlands-3-developers-have-reportedly-left-gearbox/
Gearbox has confirmed an Axios report that seven top developers on Borderlands 3 have left the company to form a new studio. Details on the new venture haven't been revealed but Randy Pitchford, founder of Gearbox Entertainment, said their departure will have no impact on the development of the studio's current project, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands.

World of Warcraft players are staging in-game protests against Activision Blizzard
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/world-of-warcraft-protests/
World of Warcraft players are gathering by the hundreds in-game to protest Activision Blizzard after the state of California filed a lawsuit against the company for operating a workplace steeped in sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and "frat boy culture." Players from both factions have gathered in the city of Oribos, where hundreds are sitting quietly on the steps leading to its inn, discussing the lawsuit or expressing anger and dismay at the allegations.
>> They've even asked for the removal of an ex-employee name.

Respawn is hiring for a 'brand new singleplayer adventure'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/respawn-is-hiring-for-a-brand-new-singleplayer-adventure/
Something new is cooking over at Respawn Entertainment, the "small but ambitious" studio behind games including Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Creative director Mohammad Alavi hit up Twitter earlier this afternoon to say the developer is working on "a brand new singleplayer adventure," and provided links to job listings for technical, combat, and level designers.

Bungie promises 'zero-tolerance' for harassment following Activision allegations
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/bungie-promises-zero-tolerance-for-harassment-following-activision-allegations/
(...)
The Destiny 2 developer had a ten-year publishing agreement with Activision Blizzard starting 2010, which was terminated early in 2019. Bungie hasn't had anything to do with the company since then, but it did spend eight years working with it, and so perhaps wants to set its own tone.

Star Wars Galaxies devs discuss why it died
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/star-wars-galaxies-devs-discuss-why-it-died/
I love a GDC postmortem, with the Fallout and Diablo breakdowns as classic examples of the form. The latest from this year's all-digital GDC put Star Wars Galaxies on the slab so creative director Raph Koster and executive producer Richard Vogel could dissect what went wrong with the infamous MMO. As the opening crawl put it, "This is the story of the worst game to become a classic, and of the most infamous patch in videogame history."

Knockout City season 2 launches next week, new maps and balls detailed
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/knockout-city-season-2-launches-next-week-new-maps-and-balls-detailed/
EA's dodgebrawler Knockout City gets a new map next week as part of the second season's launch, and it looks pretty neat: It takes place in a huge movie studio spanning a heap of different film genres, and according to EA "the playing field changes in real-time" throughout matches. Fingers crossed that neon robot Godzilla thing doesn't hit too hard.

Overwatch may have pulled planned map reveal amid this week's abuse allegations
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/overwatch-may-have-pulled-planned-map-reveal-amid-this-weeks-abuse-allegations/
(...)
According to a now-archived article by Dexerto (via Eurogamer), Blizzard planned to announce a new deathmatch map Malevento in a surprise PTR update yesterday. Described as one of the most vibrant maps in the game, the small Italian town would harbour a secret Talon base, and was set to arrive in the game proper on August 17.

Sports Interactive announces multi-year project to bring women's football to Football Manager
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/sports-interactive-announces-multi-year-project-to-bring-womens-football-to-football-manager/
Sports Interactive and Sega today announced that a multi-year multi-million project has began to bring women's football into the Football Manager series. The developer added that this will not be a standalone women's football simulation, but fully incorporated into Football Manager, "with managers able to take control of either men’s or women’s clubs and move between them seamlessly."

And here are the deals available this weekend at GOG and Steam:

+GOG

• The first one is the Weekly Sale, with up to 95% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210719_weekly_sale
• The Team17 Publisher Sale, with up to 90% discounts, will also last until Monday: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210719_team17_sale
• The Special Sale, featuring Board and Card games up to 85% off, will last another 3 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210719_board_and_card_games
• The Midweek Sale and its up to 90% discounts will last another 22 hours: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210721_midweek_sale
• The Weekend Sale features isometric games up to 90% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210723_weekend_sale
• And there's also a Bethesda Publisher Weekend Sale with up to 80% discounts: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210723_bethesda_weekend
• And these are the new releases:
  • Urban Trial Tricky Deluxe Edition arrives with a 20% discount until July 29: https://www.gog.com/game/urban_trial_tricky_deluxe_edition
  • Hot Brass launches with a 20% discount until July 30: https://www.gog.com/game/hot_brass
  • Blue Fire lands with a 40% discount until July 30: https://www.gog.com/game/blue_fire
  • And last, but not least, Amazing Cultivation Simulator comes to GOG with a 15% deal until August 2nd: https://www.gog.com/game/amazing_cultivation_simulator

+Steam

• The new daily deal is First Class Trouble, still in Early Access, 34% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/953880/First_Class_Trouble/
• The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game is free to try until Monday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/981890/Olympic_Games_Tokyo_2020__The_Official_Video_Game/
• The Hi-Rez Studios Publisher Weekend Sale offers up to 80% discounts until the 26th: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/25309/sale/hirezpubweekend2021
• Narita Boy, that has a demo, will be 50% off until July 29: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1069530/Narita_Boy/
• Days Gone will be 20% off until August 5: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1259420/Days_Gone/
• And of course, there's also the weeklong deals.

That's all folks! Have a happy and gaming weekend.

AMD Ryzen 5000G listed early by first retailers at a premium

https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-ryzen-5000g-listed-early-by-first-retailers-at-a-premium

Personally, I don't like the value at MSRP compared to Intel i5 11400 so I certainly wouldn't recommend paying a premium for it even if you are at a low spec gamer sorta deal.

PowerColor’s EEC filing features 24 Radeon RX 6600XT and 6600 graphics cards with 8GB GDDR6 memory

https://videocardz.com/newz/powercolors-eec-filing-features-24-radeon-rx-6600xt-and-6600-graphics-cards-with-8gb-gddr6-memory

The funny thing is that if you think about it. There are two instances where Nvidia has more Vram than AMD as of right now. The very top end (3090) and the very low end (3060). In every other GPU class in between, AMD has more Vram capacity. We will see how it all plays out when it comes to price to performance but compared to a 3060 Ti/3060, AMD certainly has their work cut out for them in both raster and ray tracing.

Intel Alder Lake-P Mobility CPUs Spotted With Benchmarks, 14 Core With 20 Threads & 8 Core With 12 Thread SKUs

https://wccftech.com/intel-alder-lake-p-mobility-14-core-8-core-10nm-cpus-spotted-benchmarks/

[Rumour] NVIDIA Stockpiling RTX 3060s To Pit Against RX 6600 XT, AIBs Preferring Non-LHR RTX 3070 Dies To LHR Ones

https://wccftech.com/nvidia-stockpiling-rtx-3060s-to-pit-against-rx-6600-xt-aibs-preferring-non-lhr-rtx-3070-dies-to-lhr-one/

It's from MLID so take it with grains of salt

Valve says it hasn't found a game Steam Deck can't handle

https://www.pcgamer.com/valve-says-it-hasnt-found-a-game-steam-deck-cant-handle/

I suppose as Star Citizen isn't on Steam, it would make sense

Steam Deck - HUGE NEWS! Built-In TDP / Clock Control Planned!

So you can manually adjust TDP and clocks to your liking. If they can integrate this into community profiles similar to how you have community profiles for controllers, it could be quite neat.

While I'm not a fan of the series (I tried the demo of the first one on my 360 and decided that it wasn't for me), and I'm sure EA will change it like they did with the sequels, I'm curious about this remake because, thanks to being next gen only, Motive can use Ray Tracing to improve the lightning and shadows of the game, making it quite an experience.

I loved Dead Space 1 & 2 and I‘m happy about the remake.

Talking about RT shadows and global illumination: where is my Splinter Cell remake, Ubisoft?