There seems to be no hope for some of these old franchises. Least Snake wasn't exploited too badly.

Yea now all we need is Mini-LED to become affordable so we can have true HDR experiences on these monitors. That is when the benefits of having these PC monitors will overcome the benefits of owing OLED for PCs.

Intel Grabs Majority of TSMC’s 3nm Capacity, 4 Products Including A GPU & 3 Server Chips In The Works With First Delivery In Q2 2022

https://wccftech.com/intel-grabs-majority-tsmc-3nm-capacity-4-server-graphics-chips-production-q2-2022/

Intel Alder Lake-P & Alder Lake-M Mobility CPU Power Limits Detailed – 10 Core at 15W, 12 Core at 28W & 14 Core at 45W

https://wccftech.com/intel-alder-lake-p-alder-lake-m-mobility-cpu-power-limits-detailed-10-core-at-15w-12-core-at-28w-14-core-at-45w/

It is always amusing to see mobile parts being able to go up to 215 Watts even if no laptop manufacturer in their right mind would allow it to do that.

Cyberpunk 2077 Looks Incredible At Extreme Setting With Over 50 Mods, DLSS 2.2 and Ray Tracing In New 4K Showcase Video

https://wccftech.com/cyberpunk-2077-looks-incredible-at-extreme-setting-with-over-50-mods-dlss-2-2-and-ray-tracing-in-new-4k-showcase-video/

Not that visuals were ever the problem with this game.

Stalker 2 requirements:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1643320/STALKER_2_Heart_of_Chernobyl/

Certainly needs a very beefy specs to run it at recommended settings.

Frostpunk 2 announced

So Linus did a video in regards to getting a SSD for the PS5

He didn't mention anything in regards to adding a heatsink to the secondary SSD and he was installing the SSDs without a heatsink. Did he even read the requirements properly lol?

"Cooling structure: Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in."

https://www.playstation.com/en-ca/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/

He also got a SSD that came with a heatsink... He removed the heatsink... And put it in the PS5 which I think is what resulted in the low read speeds of that SSD but he didn't catch it and thought it was normal even though the SSD is rated for higher read speeds. Come on Linus!

This is Linus Tech Tips, the jankiest show on Earth. What else did you expect? 

I've lost all hope when it comes to Ubisoft IP,s because these days it's about exclusivity deals, MT's, and making their games always online focused or as a live service, which is just straight up no-go for me. 

Was wondering when this was going to happen, considering 11-bit was gawking on about mobile-style gaming before and making news announcements for Frostpunk console versions on PC (which nettled a bunch of users over there, myself included, because it's not the sort of storefront/client you send console news to, as if it's new content for PC users). 

It's finally Friday. These are the last news of the week!

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

The Epic Store is giving away a new free game: Rebel Galaxy.
For next week, there will be two free games: "Void Bastards" and "Yooka-Laylee"

Fanatical has two new deals:

• The new Star Deal is The Yakuza Remastered Collection, 47% off during the next 24 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/the-yakuza-remastered-collection
• And the new Summer Mystery Bundle comes with up to 10 unknown games to grab: https://www.fanatical.com/en/bundle/summer-mystery-bundle

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

-Empty-

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Brutal Wolfenstein: UBER HERO Edition V0.5.2 may be the final version, and it’s out now
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/brutal-wolfenstein-uber-hero-edition-v0-5-2-may-be-the-final-version-and-its-out-now/
WitheredPoppiMk-4 has released a new version of Brutal Wolfenstein: UBER HERO Edition that could very well be its final one. In order to showcase the tweaks, fixes and additions of this new version, the modder also released a new video that you can find below.
Brutal Wolfenstein: UBER HERO Edition is a mod for GZDoom and Zandronum. UBER HERO Edition is basically based on Brutal Wolfenstein Version 4.5. Moreover, its aim is to bring stuff from Wolfenstein: The New Order, The Old Blood, The New Colossus, Youngblood to Brutal Wolfenstein.
Version 0.5.2 adds the Dieselgeweger from Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and the Machinegeweger6X. It also fixes a bug that affected the Revolver.
>> You can get it from ModDB.

Here's 20 minutes of Skyblivion footage that'll make you wish the mod was out now
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/heres-20-minutes-of-skyblivion-footage-thatll-make-you-wish-the-mod-was-out-now/
Of the many huge mod projects for Skyrim that are on the horizon, none have me more excited than Skyblivion, which aims to recreate The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in Skyrim's engine. As a big Oblivion fan I'm extremely keen on the idea of revisiting a familiar world that's been completely rebuilt and updated.
A new dev diary video from the dedicated modders behind Skyblivion has roughly 20 minutes of mesmerizing footage for you to stare at while sighing and wishing you could step into the mod right now. Check it out above.

GAMING NEWS

PUBG: Battlegrounds Update 13.1 released and detailed
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/pubg-battlegrounds-update-13-1-released-and-detailed/
PUBG Corporation has released and detailed Update 13.1 for PUBG: Battlegrounds. According to the team, this patch brings with it a series of updates to the recently released TAEGO map. Additionally, it includes the introduction of plane Emergency Landings at the start of some matches.

New Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy dev diary focuses on its character designs
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/new-marvels-guardians-of-the-galaxy-dev-diary-focuses-on-its-character-designs/
Square Enix and Eidos-Montreal have released a new dev insight video revealing the inspiration behind character design in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Following on from the global reveal last June at E3, the deep dive explores the designs of each of the core members of the team.

Dark fantasy strategy RPG, Disciples: Liberation, releases on October 21st
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dark-fantasy-strategy-rpg-disciples-liberation-releases-on-october-21st/
Kalypso Media and Frima Studio have announced that upcoming dark fantasy strategy RPG Disciples: Liberation will be launching on October 21st. To celebrate this, Kalypso have also released a showcase of new screenshots that you can find below.

2D adventure RPG, Eastward, will release on September 16th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/2d-adventure-rpg-eastward-will-release-on-september-16th/
Pixpil and Chucklefish have announced that their anticipated 2D adventure title Eastward will launch on PC on September 16th. Featuring beautiful visuals, a stirring soundtrack and emotional narrative, Eastward promises delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people.

Bethesda will reveal a “revitalized” version of Quake at QuakeCon 2021
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/bethesda-will-reveal-a-revitalized-version-of-quake-at-quakecon-2021/
Bethesda has revealed that a new version of the classic Quake game will be presented at QuakeCon 2021. This “revitalized” version of Quake is developed by MachineGames and id Software, and will feature additional content.

NERF Legends is a new fast-paced/high-energy FPS, coming to PC in October 2021
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nerf-legends-is-a-new-fast-paced-high-energy-fps-coming-to-pc-in-october-2021/
Maximum Games has announced that NERF: Legends will release on PC in October 2021. In order to celebrate this announcement, the publisher released a gameplay trailer for this FPS that you can find below.

Toy Soldiers HD releases on September 9th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/toy-soldiers-hd-releases-on-september-9th/
Accelerate Games has announced that Toy Soldiers HD will release on PC on September 9th. In order to celebrate this announcement, the publisher has also released a new gameplay trailer that you can find below.

First pre-alpha gameplay trailer released for the co-op horror FPS, Ripout
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/first-pre-alpha-gameplay-trailer-released-for-the-co-op-horror-fps-ripout/
Pet Project Games has released the first pre-alpha gameplay trailer for its upcoming co-op horror FPS, Ripout. Since this trailer feature pre-alpha gameplay footage, it does not represent the quality of the final product. Still, it will give you an idea of what this FPS is all about.

Friday news, part two and last:

A familiar face returns in this new Battlefield 2042 short film
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/a-familiar-face-returns-in-this-new-battlefield-2042-short-film/
Battlefield 2042 is a near-future multiplayer shooter in which 128 players duke it out across a series of massive, destructible maps. The game isn't out until October, but today EA released a short nine-minute film, titled Exodus, which reveals more about its world and story.

Heads up, your first Naraka: Bladepoint match will be a bot match
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/naraka-bladepoint-bots/
Some of the early Steam reviews for new battle royale game Naraka: Bladepoint complain that all of the other players are bots. It sounds like an exaggeration, but they're not wrong—assuming they've only played one match. Your first game of Naraka will definitely be against an army of AI muppets, and that's even if you queue up with a party of other humans. For whatever reason, Naraka doesn't communicate this to new players, some of whom reasonably assume that their first match is the typical experience in the game.

It sure sounds like GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas are getting a remaster this year
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/it-sure-sounds-like-gta-3-vice-city-and-san-andreas-are-getting-a-remaster-this-year/
The three classic PlayStation 2-era Grand Theft Auto games are currently being remastered for PC alongside modern consoles, including the Switch, according to a new Kotaku report. The report comes after recent rumors about the remasters, based on takedowns notices on mods using classic GTA material. The remasters are reportedly coming as soon as this fall after several years of internal delays. (Coincidentally, Grand Theft Auto 3 was first released on the PlayStation 2 in October 2001.)
>> Let's guess: who thinks that they'll come together as one package and who thinks that they'll come as three separate games? I think it will be the later.

Mad with power, fishing sim developers release an entire expansion about scallops
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/fishing-north-atlantic-has-an-entire-expansion-about-scallops/
Players of fishing simulators must be happy as a clam recently with Fishing: North Atlantic getting an entire DLC themed around scallops. Scallops, as I'm sure you know, are a major produce of Nova Scotia's fisheries, which contain some of the largest scallop beds in the world.

Back 4 Blood sound effect that resembles a racial slur was a randomization accident
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/back-4-blood-racial-slur-is-a-quirk-of-randomization-and-will-be-fixed-studio-promises/
Last week's Back 4 Blood beta was mostly well-received, with the exception of one unusual drawback: the roaming undead could sometimes be heard shouting what sounded extremely similar to a racial slur. Twitter user HomBKE was apparently the first to bring it up, but other footage has followed and, yep, it definitely sounds like the n-word.
When the n-word is noticed in your game, it would be remiss not to address it. Turtle Rock issued a statement on the matter today, pretty much confirming what a lot of people already suspected: that it's an unfortunate quirk of the game's handling of randomized zombie growls.

Art of Rally's big free Kenya update is out today
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/art-of-rallys-big-free-kenya-update-is-out-today/
Art of Rally is an excellent rally racer about gracefully drifting around low-detail worlds, trying not to hurtle off cliffs or into crowds of pencil-shaped spectators. It was released on PC last year but has now come to consoles, which benefits us too, because there's a big new update to coincide with those launches.
The Kenya Update introduces six new stages and a new freeroam map—all set in Kenya. You'll encounter water puddles and zebras (with statuesque constitutions, I should add: don't try running them over), and there are four new vehicles in the form of the Gazelle, The King of Africa, the Das 559 and Hyena.

New CS:GO music kits include polka-metal and a disco grenade
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/new-csgo-music-kits-include-polka-metal-and-a-disco-grenade/
In 2014, music kits were added to CS:GO. They let players customize the multiplayer shooter's soundtrack, because if you're going to reskin your guns why not reskin the main menu theme while you're at it? (...)
The latest batch are called the Tacticians Music Kits, six new alternative soundtracks from various videogame composers. Notably, Austin Wintory—the award-winning composer of Journey, Abzû, and The Banner Saga, among others—is responsible for one that's a mash-up of polka and metal. Other contributors include Chipzel (Super Hexagon, Crypt of the Necrodancer), Freaky DNA (Retro City Rampage), Jesse Harlin (Mafia, various Star Wars games), Sarah Schachner (various Assassin's Creed games), and Laura Shigihara (Plants vs. Zombies, To the Moon, Rakuen).

Bugsnax is coming to Steam in 2022
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/bugsnax-is-coming-to-steam-in-2022/
After nine months exclusive to the Epic Store, developer Young Horses has announced that Bugsnax is coming to Steam.
The cute-yet-creepy creature collector was a pleasant surprise when it released last year. I honestly hadn't expected too much from the game, but was happy to find adorable food-themed critters, engaging gameplay and a mysterious story that left me wanting more. It also has a fantastic theme song from Kero Kero Bonito. A lot of people seemed to share my sentiment, even if our own Tyler wasn't quite as impressed when he checked out the game in his Bugsnax review.

Halo Infinite's bots aren't teabagging you, at least not on purpose
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/halo-infinites-bots-arent-teabagging-you-at-least-not-on-purpose/
343 Industries wants you to know that Halo Infinite's bots definitely aren't teabagging you—at least not on purpose, anyway.
(...)
Speaking to Kotaku, 343 has now confirmed that the bots aren't deliberately trying to teabag you, with the action being a result of a pathing hiccup. "We don't have explicit programming that tells the bots to teabag or taunt you in any way," a studio representative told the site. "The bots are meant to be welcoming and fun for players of all skill levels, and a feature designed to taunt a player would oppose that goal."

Let's check the deals at GOG and Steam:

+GOG

• The Weekly Sale is full of visual novels up to 75% off: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210809_weekly_sale
• The Frogwares Sale with its up to 80% off will last until Monday: https://www.gog.com/promo/frogwares_summer
• The new Midweek Sale brings up to 90% discounts on platformers until tomorrow: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210811_midweek_sale
• Quakecon Sale with up to 85% discounts during t he next 10 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/quakecon_2021
• And the Weekend Sale brings up to 90% discounts on games with rich stories: https://www.gog.com/promo/20210813_weekend_sale

+Steam

• The new daily deal is Mars Horizon, 33% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/765810/Mars_Horizon/
• The Realms Deep 2021 Sale comes with up to 90% discounts until Sunday (although some offers may last beyond that): https://store.steampowered.com/sale/RealmsDeep2021
• Carto, that has a demo, will be 40% off during the weekend: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1172450/Carto/
• Monster Hunter World and its DLCs are on sale, between 20 and 76% off (the game has a 34% discount) until the 16th: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/MonsterHunterFranchise
• The EVO Sale brings between 20 and 85% discounts until Monday: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/EVOSale
• Frostpunk is free to try and 70% off until Monday 16: https://store.steampowered.com/app/323190/Frostpunk/
• Europa Universalis IV is 80% off until Monday, 16: https://store.steampowered.com/app/236850/Europa_Universalis_IV/
• Publisher No More Robots celebrates its 4th anniversary by putting its games up to 50% off until August 18: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nomorerobots2021
• Football Manager 2021, with a demo, will be 60% off until next Wednesday, 18: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263850/Football_Manager_2021/
• And of course, there's also the weeklong deals.

Nothing else to add, except wishing you a happy and gaming weekend.

AMD has a CPU market share of 16.9%, the highest since 2006

https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/amd-has-a-cpu-market-share-of-16-9the-highest-since-2006.html


New U.S. Bill Would Require Companies Like Apple, Google to Give up App Store Power; Open up Sideloading, More

https://wccftech.com/new-us-bill-targets-apple-google-app-store/

It will be interesting to see whether or not this goes anywhere but if it does, it will have industry wide changes.

That new bill is interesting. It won't be much of a problem for Google, given that they already split some things over its Alphabet group, but maybe it will for Apple.

And now that I think of it, if this bill passes soon, which it won't, it could end having an impact in the Apple vs Epic trial.