Congratulations on your purchase. It looks like a mighty laptop .

Wait! Tifa has breast implants?! I would have never expected that /s.

Wow, God of War has disappeared! Maybe next week, when there'll be less Dying Light 2 editions and without the Lunar Sale, it will come back.

Thanks for sharing.

I'll be surprised if God of War comes back for a while. February is pretty packed as far as gaming is concerned. Next week is Total War: Warhammer III and then the week after that is Elden Ring.

And both of them are already on the list, although I don't know how many edition each of those games have. But yeah. now it's a matter of legs and God of War will (probably) appear only on relatively slow weeks.

Day 2...

Day 3.....

The Monday news:

SALES /PLAYER COUNT & DEALS

It Takes Two has sold 5 million copies
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/it-takes-two-has-sold-5-million-copies/
In less than a year, It Takes Two has racked up over 5 million sales, meaning that I can now call the critically praised game a successful and popular critically acclaimed game and nobody can stop me. Hazelight last updated us on It Takes Two's sales numbers in October 2021, when it had sold 3 million copies.

Path of Exile: Siege of the Atlas expansion sets new peak concurrent player record
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/path-of-exile-siege-of-the-atlas-expansion-sets-new-peak-concurrent-player-record/
The newest Path of Exile expansion, Siege of the Atlas, lets players build their own endgame by revamping the Atlas of Worlds—which is basically the core of the game at this point. Seven players have already beaten the expansion by taking down godlike beings The Maven, The Searing Exarch, and The Eater of Worlds by taking them down in the Hardcore Solo Self-found Archnemesis League, which is really impressive but probably gibberish if you don't play Path of Exile and never have.
Perhaps more comprehensible is that the now quite old action RPG has hit a new record for peak concurrent players: 270,260 people were playing at once over the weekend, says Grinding Gear Games. That's a peak for time since Path of Exile launched over eight years ago in October 2013. Apparently the peak started building on Friday the 4th, but kept rising, so that Grinding Gear could only be sure it wouldn't be surpassed until today.

GOG starts the week with two flash deals and sales:

• The first flash deal is the Dead Age 1+2 Bundle, 83% off during the next 46 hours: https://www.gog.com/en/game/dead_age_1_2_bundle
• The second flash deal is Panzer Corps Gold, 85% off for the next 46 hours: https://www.gog.com/en/game/panzer_corps_gold
• The new Weekly Sale features action and survival games up to 90% off until the next Monday ((you'll notice that the page says that it will last 14 days, but the news article says that it will finish Monday the 14th): https://www.gog.com/promo/20220207_weekly_sale
• And there's also a Focus Home Interactive Sale, with up to 80% discounts during the next 7 days: https://www.gog.com/promo/20220207_focus_home_interactive

Steam has a new daily deal: the Megaman Franchise is between 34 and 60% off: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/MegaMan

The Humble Store has three new sales:

• The Card & Puzzle Sale comes with up to 90% discounts during the next 4 days. There are keys for Steam, GOG and UPlay: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/card-puzzle-sale/
• Starbreeze puts its games on sale, up to 90% off for the next 4 days. There are keys for Steam and GOG (only 2): https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/starbreeze-publisher-sale/
• The third and last sale is a D3 Publisher Sale, also featuring up to 90% discounts during the next 4 days. All the keys are for Steam: https://www.humblebundle.com/store/promo/d3-publisher-sale/

And Fanatical has a new Star Deal and... to be honest, I'm not sure. Their Lunar New Year Sale is still on and, at this point, I'm no longer sure which publisher sales are from that or something else. Anyway, the new Star Deal is Assassin's Creed Valhalla Gold Edition for Uplay, 57% off during the next 48 hours: https://www.fanatical.com/en/game/assassins-creed-valhalla-gold-edition

SOFTWARE & DRIVERS

NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready 511.72 HOTFIX
https://videocardz.com/driver/nvidia-geforce-game-ready-511-72-hotfix
Fixed Issues

• G-SYNC cannot be re-enabled on G-SYNC Compatible displays after manually disabling from the NVIDIA Control Panel [3523157]
• Call of Duty Vanguard random corruption [3519774]
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla may fail to launch correctly [3525655]

Steam will now tell you how much space a game requires before you try to install it
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/steam-will-now-tell-you-how-much-space-a-game-requires-before-you-try-to-install-it/
Valve is making a change to Steam that will finally let users see how much storage space a game requires without having to try to install it first. In fact, if you're signed up for the Steam beta client program, you can take advantage of the new feature right now.
>> Or, you know, you can check the game requirements to find this info.

'NFTs are a scam', says indie game marketplace itch.io
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/nfts-are-a-scam-says-indie-game-marketplace-itchio/
Never one to mince words, indie game storefront itch.io has come out strongly against NFTs in a Twitter thread that begins, "A few have asked about our stance on NFTs: NFTs are a scam. If you think they are legitimately useful for anything other than the exploitation of creators, financial scams, and the destruction of the planet the[n] we ask that [you] please reevaluate your life choices."

MODS, EMULATORS & FAN PROJECTS

Grand Theft Auto 5 gets an amazing Batman: Arkham Asylum Mod
https://www.dsogaming.com/mods/grand-theft-auto-5-gets-an-amazing-batman-arkham-asylum-mod/
Talented modder ‘JulioNIB’ has released a new video for his upcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum mod for Grand Theft Auto 5. As you will see, JulioNIB has implemented numerous moves and a combat system that is similar to the one in the Batman: Arkham games.
Alongside the new combat system, this Batman Mod will allow you to use his grapple gun hook and glide with his cape. Players can also use batarangs and call special weapons and vehicles. Not only that, but Batman has access to batclaw kick and dive bomb attacks, as well as the disarm target, smoke, freeze, incendiary and electric shock gadget attacks.
>> There's a video, but we aware that this mod is locked to his Patreon subscribers (at least for now).

Fallout: Nuevo Mexico is a new fan expansion for Fallout: New Vegas
https://www.dsogaming.com/videotrailer-news/fallout-nuevo-mexico-is-a-new-fan-expansion-for-fallout-new-vegas/
A team of modders is currently working on a DLC-sized fan expansion for Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout: Nuevo Mexico. This mod promises to offer a heavily focused RPG experience , inspired by the classic games(Fallout 1 & Fallout 2), and you can find a teaser trailer for it below.
In Fallout: Nuevo Mexico, players will join multiple new factions. The mod will also offer three unique companions with a revamped companion and affinity system. Additionally, it will have various new activities, and will let you travel to various states and locations.

GAMING NEWS

God of War Update 1.0.5 released, adds precision mouse mode, full patch notes
https://www.dsogaming.com/patches/god-of-war-update-1-0-5-released-adds-precision-mouse-mode-full-patch-notes/
Jetpack Interactive and Santa Monica have released another new update for the PC version of God of War. According to the release notes, Patch 1.0.5 adds a precision mouse mode, aiming to significantly improve the mouse look of the game.

The Monday news 2:

Skate 4 may arrive sooner than expected
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/skate-4-may-arrive-sooner-than-expected/
I wasn't expecting to hear about Skate 4 anytime soon. It was only in 2020 that EA announced a reboot for the fisheye street shredder was in the works, revealling that it had spun up a new studio to do so several months later.
It's the kinda thing I suspected wouldn't have any concrete news for years to come. But based on EA's recent earnings call, we may get our sneakers on Skate sooner than expected.

Square Enix says Final Fantasy 14 is a huge reason behind financial success in 2021
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/square-enix-says-final-fantasy-14-is-a-huge-reason-behind-financial-success-in-2021/
Square Enix has attributed the rising number of people playing the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy 14 as one of the biggest reasons behind its recent financial success.
The developer and publisher reported a 4% increase in sales and a 17.1% increase in operating income in its latest financial report. The substantial increase has led to Square Enix increasing its profit forecast for the rest of the financial year. Games like Nier Replicant and Guardians of the Galaxy were named as successful launches, along with strong sales of merchandise.

Genshin Impact players are losing it over update 2.5's new characters
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/genshin-impact-players-are-losing-it-over-update-25s-new-characters/
Genshin Impact's 2.5 "When the Sakura Bloom" update has fans of the game losing their minds over its three new characters, one of which is a weekly boss. New characters show up in the anime gacha game all the time, but the 2.5 update, set for February 16, confirms popular leaks of some of the most anticipated ones.

Chaos Gate: Daemonhunters has eight classes of tactically murderous space marines
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/chaos-gate-daemonhunters-has-eight-classes-of-tactically-murderous-space-marines/
Good news for those who are excited to be a space monster-hunting psychic superhuman, as Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters will have four base and four advanced classes for you to play around with in its tactical combat. (Which is probably best described as something like Grimdark XCOM.)

The Factorio expansion will be as large as the main game
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/the-factorio-expansion-will-be-as-large-as-the-main-game/
Almost precisely a year since we last heard about an expansion for Factorio that was in the works, and now we know a little bit more. In the first Friday Facts in quite a while, developers Wube software have posted that it'll be as big as the whole base game and cost $30—the same price as Factorio itself.

Dying Light 2 has a hidden fully rideable bicycle
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/dying-light-2-has-a-hidden-fully-rideable-bicycle/
What Dying Light 2 lacks in storytelling it more than makes up for with crunchy first-person action. The open-world survival horror game lets you traverse its city with parkour, a grappling hook, and even a paraglider, but it looks like there might have been another means of locomotion cut late in development: the humble bicycle.
>> And more fixes are incoming.

Explore frozen wastes and cozy fixed-camera interiors in indie RPG Mortal Crux
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/explore-frozen-wastes-and-cozy-fixed-camera-interiors-in-indie-rpg-mortal-crux/
Mortal Crux is an upcoming indie action-RPG that's aiming to capture the vibe of desolate, Northern European fantasy settings like The Witcher or the Elder Scrolls' Nordic adventures, Skyrim and Bloodmoon. It's being designed for both solo and co-op play, with up to four player sharing a seamless world via an isometric perspective like Diablo or Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, but with distinctly soulslike combat mechanics. The action shown so far features telegraphed, meaty enemy attacks and a snappy dodge roll.

Left 4 Dead creator on the boom in co-op games: 'There still aren't enough'
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/left-4-dead-creator-on-the-boom-in-co-op-games-there-still-arent-enough/
Mike Booth, one of the founders of Turtle Rock and creator of Left 4 Dead, recently provided some insight into his creative process and his take on the current influx of co-op games in an interview with Rock Paper Shotgun.

Players of recently launched MMO Mortal Online 2 have been waiting in 24-hour queues
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/players-of-recently-launched-mmo-mortal-online-2-have-been-waiting-in-24-hour-queues/
Swedish studio Star Vault launched Mortal Online 2 in late January. A hardcore MMO with skill-based first-person combat rather than auto-attacks, full PVP where everything you're carrying can be looted from your corpse, and over 600 skills to learn, you can see why the studio might have expected a relatively low turnout. It sounds a wee bit niche. The original Mortal Online, according to SteamDB, had an all-time peak of 1,185 players. Well, Mortal Online 2 has sold 110,000 copies and was number four in Steam's top sellers.

Feel very justified in excessive xenocide with Rogue Invader
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/feel-very-justified-with-excessive-xenocide-in-rogue-invader/
A roguelike shooter mimicking old-school black and white games, Rogue Invader is nonetheless a stylish new-wave roguelite sidescrolling shooter, and it's finally out. Released on December 15 of last year, Rogue Invader's launch flew under the radar for many—me included.

eFootball and PES remove Mason Greenwood following sexual assault allegations
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/efootball-and-pes-remove-mason-greenwood-following-sexual-assault-allegations/
Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood was recently accused of rape and assault by a woman on Instagram, after which he was arrested by Greater Manchester Police.
Manchester United has said Greenwood will not play for the club until further notice. Konami has now announced it has removed Mason Greenwood from its football titles (thanks, The Athletic), meaning PES 2021 and eFootball.

Hidetaka Miyazaki reveals the Souls boss he's most proud of
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/hidetaka-miyazaki-reveals-the-souls-boss-hes-most-proud-of/
Fromsoft president and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki is doing the rounds in the runup to Elden Ring's release later this month. The official Playstation blog posted a new piece where various luminaries from Playstation Studios pick their favourite FromSoft boss from across the various Souls games—as part of which, Miyazaki contributed his own feelings on the matter.

Bowser should be put in jail for five years, say the US government
https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/bowser-should-be-put-in-jail-for-five-years-say-the-us-government/
The US government has said that prolific Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser should be put behind bars for five years.
Bowser (yes, really) lost a landmark case against Nintendo in October after the developer and console manufacturer went after him for his part in hacking group Team Xecuter—a group known for making and controversially selling modding chips and jailbreaking software for a host of consoles. He was charged with two counts: "conspiracy to circumvent technological measures and to traffic in circumvention devices," facing up to 10 years in total.

NVIDIA Hopper GH100 GPU Rumored To House Over 140 Billion Transistors In A Massive 5nm Package

https://wccftech.com/nvidia-hopper-gh100-gpu-140-billion-transistors-massive-5nm-package-rumor/


NVIDIA Adds GeForce RTX 2050, MX570 & MX550 Laptop GPU Support To Linux Through Latest Drivers

https://wccftech.com/nvidia-linux-drive-geforce-rtx-2050-mx570-mx550-gpu-support/


Steam Deck Previews going live today

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/comments/smgu35/the_steam_deck_previews_tomorrow_where_to_find/

At the very least, it will be from these 3:

linustechtips
thephawx
Gamersnexus

It will include benchmarks but not subjective info opinions. Finally we will have some hard numbers.

Apparently Linus Tech Tips will be uploading the Steam Deck preview in 9 minutes