The great great grandaddy of 3d open world games is Midwinter, not GTA

Halo Infinite beta is out and I had a little go. And yeah its Halo.

OP weapons and then bullet sponge default weapons and nade spams. Eh. And aiming just feels off on keyboard and mouse. Might give it another go tomorrow but I feel like I've kinda gone off those types of games now.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/11/14/the-gta-trilogy-isnt-the-new-cyberpunk-2077-the-definitive-edition-is-worse/

"CDPR shot for the moon with Cyberpunk 2077 and missed, while Rockstar shot for the ground and somehow…still missed."

What a dumpster fire.

That just might be the quote of the year

*Needs more Red Redemption.

Elite (84) is considered to be the first 3d open world game - I remember it getting it for C64, it was mind blowing experience at the time.

I remember Midwinter from Amiga, I liked it OK, though arguably, I'd say Hunter was much closer to actual sandbox 3D open world games of today (good ol' Amiga with myriad of overambitious games that ran at ridicoulously low frame rates).

The news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

To celebrate the launch of Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, if you buy it at GOG you'll get two free games. Learn more here: https://www.gog.com/news/release_sherlock_holmes_chapter_one

Steam has several new deals, including a new range of weeklong deals:

• The first daily deal is Neighbours back From Hell, 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1283190/Neighbours_back_From_Hell/
• The second daily deal is Train Valley 2, 55% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/602320/Train_Valley_2/
• The Czech & Slovak Games Week brings up to 90% discounts until November 22: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/CZSKGamesWeek2021
• OUTRIDERS, that has a demo, will be 67% off until November 24: https://store.steampowered.com/app/680420/OUTRIDERS/
• And here's a sample of the weeklong deals:
  • Breathedge is 30% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/738520/Breathedge/
  • My Time At Portia features a 40% discount (the DLCs are up to 50% off): https://store.steampowered.com/app/666140/My_Time_At_Portia/
  • Sakura Dungeon is 50% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/407330/Sakura_Dungeon/
  • Samorost 2 gets a 70% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/40720/Samorost_2/
  • Worms Ultimate Mayhem is 80% off: https://store.steampowered.com/app/70600/Worms_Ultimate_Mayhem/
  • And Dex, that has a demo, gets a 90% discount: https://store.steampowered.com/app/269650/Dex/

The Humble Store has two new sales:

• The Tropico franchise is up to 75% off during the next 3 days: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/tropico-franchise-sale/
• Publisher Herocraft puts its games up to 90% off during the next 3 days. There are keys for GOG and Steam: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/herocraft-publisher-sale/

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

New AMD drivers are optimized for Battlefield 2042 and Halo Infinite
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-amd-drivers-are-optimized-for-battlefield-2042-and-halo-infinite/
AMD has just released a brand new driver that offers optimal performance in Halo Infinite. Additionally, and since this is a newer driver than the Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.11.2, we can assume that it packs all of the performance improvmenets that were featured in it.
As AMD claimed, the latest “Halo Infinite” driver contains Radeon Software Adrenalin for Halo Infinite Driver Version 21.40.03.01 for Windows 10 and Windows 11. For comparison purposes, the previous driver was Version 21.30.33.05.
>> Available from here.

NVIDIA DLSS 2.3 SDK and NVIDIA Image Scaling SDK are now available
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/nvidia-dlss-2-3-sdk-and-nvidia-image-scaling-sdk-are-now-available/
NVIDIA has announced that the DLSS 2.3 SDK is available to all developers. Moreover, its Image Scaling SDK (NIS) is now open-source and is available to everyone.
According to the green team, more than 130 games and applications now support DLSS. Moreover, numerous games (like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal) have been updated to the latest 2.3 version which reduces ghosting and improves temporal stability and detail.
As said, the Image Scaling algorithm is also available to everyone as an open-source SDK. NVIDIA Image Scaling (NIS) aims to compete with AMD’s FSR. And, in case you’re wondering, you can already enable NIS via your Control Panel or via GeForce Experience.
>> They come with the new 496.76 driver that also brings support for Battlefield 2042. You can download it from here

Steam servers refuse to buckle as whole world downloads Halo Infinite
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/halo-infinite-steam-servers-slow/
At around 11 am PST today, Steam's total bandwidth usage more than doubled to 23.5 Tbps thanks to the surprise release of Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer. The sudden spike wasn't just a line on a graph: When I started the download, Steam could only deliver around 78 KB/s over my high-speed fiber connection. The Steam client estimated that it would take me three days to download Halo Infinite's 23.7 GB multiplayer package at that rate.
(...)
But Steam hasn't fallen over yet. If you're struggling to download Halo Infinite on Steam, try pausing and restarting the download.
When I restarted the download, Steam hit its normal rate and Halo Infinite made it to my SSD in a few minutes. When I tried to download a different game after that, it went back to a trickle of bytes. Pausing and restarting a few more times once again fixed it. (You can also try getting Halo Infinite through the Microsoft Store, of course.)
>> Hopefully, that means that their servers will also hold during the first day of the Winter Sale... tho I doubt it.

The Windows 11 Black Screen of Death will become blue again
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-windows-11-black-screen-of-death-will-become-blue-again/
Windows 11 hasn’t had the smoothest of launches. Ever since the release, every patch Tuesday has been packed with a long list of bug fixes, tweaks and updates. Ars Technica took the time to read through a (very long) changelog for a build that will be released into the preview channel and found this little bit:
We changed the screen color to blue when a device stops working or a stop error occurs as in previous versions of Windows.

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

-Empty-

GAMING NEWS

Halo Infinite Official PC requirements revealed, multiplayer beta available now
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/halo-infinite-official-pc-requirements-revealed-multiplayer-beta-available-now/
Microsoft and 343 Industries have revealed the official PC system requirements for Halo Infinite. Additionally, the teams announced that the game’s multiplayer beta phase has been launched, and everyone can download and play it.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction will release on January 20th 2022
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/tom-clancys-rainbow-six-extraction-will-release-on-january-20th-2022/
Ubisoft has announced that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction will release on January 20th, 2022. In order to celebrate this announcement, the company released a new trailer that you can find below. Additionally, it detailed its free post-launch content.

New Horizon Update brings new free content to Outriders
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/new-horizon-update-brings-new-free-content-to-outriders/
Square Enix has announced New Horizon, a major new completely free update for Outriders. This new update will release later today, and below you can find a new trailer for it.

Bright Memory Infinite November 15th Update fixes numerous bugs/issues
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/bright-memory-infinite-november-15th-update-fixes-numerous-bugs-issues/
FYQD Studio has released the first post-launch patch for Bright Memory Infinite. According to the team, the November 15th Update fixes numerous bugs and issues.

Genshin Impact Patch 2.3 detailed, releases on November 24th
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/genshin-impact-patch-2-3-detailed-releases-on-november-24th/
miHoYo has announced that Patch 2.3 for Genshin Impact, titled Shadows Amidst Snowstorms, will release on November 24th. In addition, the team has shared its key features and posted a new trailer for it.

New screenshots for PlatinumGames’ Babylon’s Fall surface online
https://www.dsogaming.com/screenshot-news/new-screenshots-for-platinumgames-babylons-fall-screenshots-surface/
Square Enix and PlatinumGames have released a new set of screenshots for Babylon’s Fall. These screenshots are from the PC version, from the game’s latest Closed Beta Testing. As such, they will give you an idea of the game’s art style.

Here is how you can play Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier on PC
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/here-is-how-you-can-play-final-fantasy-vii-the-first-soldier-on-pc/
Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier releases tomorrow on mobile devices and PC gamers will be able to play it via emulators. By using the NoxPlayer, players will be able to enjoy this new Final Fantasy game with higher framerates, keyboard controls, and better graphics.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a new asymmetrical multiplayer online DB game
https://www.dsogaming.com/news/dragon-ball-the-breakers-is-a-new-asymmetrical-multiplayer-online-db-game/
Bandai Namco has just announced a brand new Dragon Ball game, Dragon Ball: The Breakers. Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a new asymmetrical multiplayer online game that will be coming to PC in 2022.

Here are 26 minutes of new gameplay footage from Dying Light 2
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/here-are-26-minutes-of-new-gameplay-footage-from-dying-light-2/
Techland has lifted the preview embargo for Dying Light 2: Stay Human. As such, GameInformer and MP1st shared two videos, showing 26 minutes of brand new gameplay footage from it.

The news, the sequel:

Call of Duty bans may now apply to all 'past, present, and future' games in the series
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/call-of-duty-bans-may-now-apply-to-all-past-present-and-future-games-in-the-series/
Take heed, Call of Duty cheaters: Activision has updated its security enforcement policy to state that "extreme or repeated violations" could result in the permanent suspension of all your accounts in every Call of Duty game—including the ones that aren't even out yet.

Elder Scrolls 6 will release for Xbox and PC only
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/elder-scrolls-6-will-release-for-xbox-and-pc-only/
Ever since Microsoft's Zenimax Media acquisition, the question of whether the Elder Scrolls 6 will be an Xbox platform exclusive has haunted PS5 owners. Starfield will be an Xbox exclusive, much to the chagrin of PlayStation owners, but surely good guy Phil Spencer wouldn't deprive a massive, healthy platform of one of the most anticipated games of all time? Well, that's exactly what Microsoft is going to do.
>> Shocking... or maybe not so much.

Elden Ring players are already tricking bosses into falling off cliffs
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/elden-ring-players-are-already-tricking-bosses-into-falling-off-cliffs/
Elden Ring's closed network test came and went over the weekend, briefly introducing players to FromSoftware's first open world Souls-style game and a handful of the bosses that inhabit it. Players quickly started getting familiar with the more vertical world of the Lands Between, but it looks like some of Elden Ring's bosses haven't quite found their footing just yet.

If Battlefield 2042 crashes constantly, try this quick fix
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/battlefield-2042-crash-fix/
Over the past three days, Battlefield 2042 has been crashing to desktop constantly for me. I assumed there was nothing I could do but wait for the first patch, but there might've been an easy fix all along: If Battlefield 2042 is crashing or freezing, try using the "verify integrity of game files" tool on Steam.
(...)
If you have Battlefield 2042 on Origin, try right-clicking and using the "repair" option, which is the equivalent.

Halo Infinite commits unspeakable crime, launches without a Slayer-only playlist
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/halo-infinite-commits-unspeakable-crime-launches-without-a-slayer-only-playlist/
The Halo Infinite multiplayer beta is live and all I want to do is play Slayer. The classic deathmatch mode is one of several different modes available in the game, but right now, you can only play it randomly.

Naruto and his ninja pals are now available in Fortnite
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/fortnite-naruto-skin/
Naruto is finally available in Fortnite, after months of rumors, a confirmation, and lots and lots of teasing from Epic Games. The boy ninja who would become Hokage is now a Fortnite skin, along with his pals Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi.

Anime mech RPG Wolfstride announces December launch with a slick new trailer
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/anime-mech-rpg-wolfstride-announces-december-launch-with-a-slick-new-trailer/
Of the dozens (and dozens) of game demos at Steam Next Fest, Wolfstride was one of our favorites. (...)
That demo is still available, but if you're interested in playing the full game you won't have to wait long at all. The makers of Wolfstride have announced a December release date with a stylish and fun new trailer you can watch above.

Dying Light 2 lead designer teases future co-op class system
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dying-light-2-lead-designer-teases-future-co-op-class-system/
Like the first Dying Light, Dying Light 2 is going to be a big open world game you can play by yourself if you want to—but why, when wailing on zombies is such a good time in co-op? I expect that's the way most people will end up playing Dying Light 2, because brains just bring friendships closer together.

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2060 with 12GB memory listed at EEC

https://videocardz.com/newz/gigabyte-geforce-rtx-2060-with-12gb-memory-listed-at-eec


NVIDIA Image Scaling goes open source, NIS now available to all games

https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-image-scaling-goes-open-source-nis-now-available-to-all-games

Meh, FSR showed us that this type of image upscaler is yawn worthy and has the tendency to breakdown quite easily at anything other than Ultra Quality. I guess the dream of DLSS going open source is gonna continue to be a dream...


Halo Infinite concurrent players count peaked at 272k+ players on Steam

https://steamdb.info/app/1240440/graphs/

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told an employee he would have her killed. He kept an exec from being fired after a sexual harassment claim. He didn't tell his board of alleged rapes and other misconduct.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told an employee he would have her killed. He kept an exec from being fired after a sexual harassment claim. He didn't tell his board of alleged rapes and other misconduct. Our @WSJ investigation @benfritz @saraheneedleman : https://t.co/Q4t24qWxxC

— Kirsten Grind (@KirstenGrind) November 16, 2021