Month: June 2019

At the AMD “Next Horizon Gaming” livestream event at E3 today, President and CEO Dr. Lisa Su unveiled the company’s next-generation PC gaming platform, bringing new levels of performance and efficiency and introducing powerful features for gamers everywhere, based on the new AMD Radeon™ RX 5700 Series graphics cards and 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ desktop processors.

The AMD Radeon™ RX 5700 XT and RX 5700 graphics cards are built on the new AMD RDNA gaming architecture to deliver superior visual fidelity, lightning-fast performance and advanced features to power the latest AAA and eSports titles. The new product family also includes the 50th Anniversary Edition AMD Radeon™ RX 5700 XT graphics card that commemorates the company’s 50th anniversary by offering increased clocks and a luxurious gold accented shroud featuring Dr. Lisa Su’s signature.

The 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ desktop processors deliver leadership performance across gaming, productivity and content creation applications, offering more performance-critical on-die cache than ever before. Today, Dr. Su previewed the latest addition to the product family – the 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen™ 9 3950X, the world’s first 16-core mainstream desktop processor.

“We’ve made significant technology bets to push the envelope on high-performance computing and give gamers the hardware they need to power the experiences they want,” said Dr. Su. “Our industry-leading Ryzen 3000 Series desktop processors and Radeon RX 5700 Series graphics cards combine leadership design, performance, technology, and efficiency to provide the ultimate gaming experiences. From super-fast frame rates, to new levels of visual realism and image quality, or the ability to easily create, capture and share gaming experiences, PCs featuring our new Ryzen processors and Radeon GPUs offer exceptional performance and features for every gamer at every price point.”

“Seventy percent of PC gamers today are using three-year-old or older graphics hardware that lacks the necessary horsepower and capabilities to deliver fully immersive, high-fidelity and high-performance gaming experiences,” said Scott Herkelman, corporate vice president and general manager, Radeon Technologies Group at AMD. “Our new Radeon graphics cards with RDNA redefine what’s possible in 1440p gameplay, delivering stunning visuals, amazing performance and industry-leading features to take gaming experiences to the next level.”

Read on…

Meticulously crafted environments with satellite data and Azure AI, coming in 2020

Source: TechSpot

Fans of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator series were treated to the next installment in the long-running series at the company’s E3 2019 keynote. The brief trailer showcases a few landscapes and aircraft, of which there will be many, all captured in stunning real-time 4K footage.

Hardcore fans of the flight sim genre remember Microsoft’s Flight Simulator from the early 1980s all the way to its tenth and last installment titled the FSX: Steam Edition that launched 5 years ago on Valve’s store. The series is returning next year with visuals looking more lifelike than ever before.

Realistic and hyper-detailed cockpits will see many players become avionics experts pointing out and discovering switches, knobs, gauges and other equipment on their aircraft, which will roam the skies in challenging weather above gorgeous scenery, all made with the help of satellite data and Microsoft’s own Azure AI technology.

“From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.”

The series has always remained an exclusive on the PC but this time Microsoft is also planning a couch experience for those with an Xbox One console. Release dates for either version remain unknown but they’re expected to be out some time in 2020.

Bethesda.net has released the official E3 2019 trailer for Wolfenstein: Youngblood. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a brand-new co-op adventure from award-winning studio MachineGames, developers of the critically-acclaimed Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, in partnership with Arkane Studios Lyon. Play as one of BJ Blazkowicz’s twin daughters and undertake a do-or-die mission to find their missing father in 1980s Paris. Wield an arsenal of new weapons, gadgets, and power armor abilities in a fight to kick Nazis out of the city of lights.

As BJ Blazkowicz’s twin daughters, Jess and Soph, you’ll take to the streets of 80s Nazi-occupied Paris as you search for your father. Establish a home base in the Parisian Catacombs and take on missions in any order you want. If you choose to roll solo, you’ll be paired up with an AI companion. As you complete missions, you’ll level up and unlock unique abilities, weapon attachments, gadgets, cosmetics and more.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood releases July 26 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Also launching in July, take the battle to virtual reality with Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot, where you’ll join the French Resistance and hack into mechanized infantry to use against the Nazis!

Pick up the Wolfenstein: Youngblood Deluxe Edition for a bevy of in-game bonuses plus the Buddy Pass, which will let you partner up with a friend even if that friend doesn’t own the game. Learn more here.

Source: Blue’s News

Bethesda Softworks offers the Official E3 2019 Wastelanders gameplay trailer showing off a free update coming to Fallout 76. Word is: “One year after the opening of Vault 76, other humans have returned to Appalachia. Factions of Settlers and Raiders aim to make the world their own and claim a rumored fortune. Embark on a new main quest of choice and consequence, interact with characters and their unique stories, discover the faction settlements of Crater and Foundation, and collect powerful new weapons and armor. Your choices decide their fates.” They also announce Nuclear Winter, a new 52-PLAYER battle royale “experience” coming to the irradiated RPG this fall, saying a sneak peak at this will be available to all starting tomorrow during a Fallout 76 Free Trial Week. This video developer diary explains that this take on the genre will retain the core focus of the game, and will include PvE elements, story elements, base building, and, of course, nukes. Here’s word on what makes this S.P.E.C.I.A.L. from the Fallout website:

Nuclear Winter is an all-new 52-player PvP Battle Royale mode, free for Fallout 76 players. Nukes have set the world ablaze and the battle to claim your spot as Overseer of Vault 51 has begun – will you be the last one standing or be consumed by the ring of fire? Rank up, unlock exclusive perks and build your C.A.M.P. to weather the storm in true Fallout fashion. Scavenge for weapons, supplies, and nukes to take on other players and creatures and earn unique cosmetic rewards. Sneak Peek Starting June 10, 2019.

Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD over the weekend released the latest version of Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition. Version 19.6.1 Beta adds support for Microsoft Xbox Game Pass for PC. The groundbreaking new service from Microsoft benefits gamers who play on both PC and Xbox, by providing Windows PCs with a Library and common access to games across platforms. The drivers also address AMD Link not working correctly on some of the installations of Radeon Software.

The new Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.6.1 Beta drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.

Source: Blue’s News

A free weekend is underway on Steam for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, the most recent installment in this tactical first-person shooter series. This is free to try until tomorrow, and the game and all its content are also on sale for up to half-off if you want to reenlist. Word is if you do so, all progression from the free period will carry over. Here’s the pitch on the game:

Master the art of destruction and gadgetry in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege. Face intense close quarters combat, high lethality, tactical decision making, team play and explosive action within every moment. Experience a new era of fierce firefights and expert strategy born from the rich legacy of past Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six games.

Thrustmaster has switched to air combat maneuvering mode for the 2019 edition of FlightSimExpo in Orlando, Florida. After a long period of development and beta testing required to perfect this authentic joystick, the juicy details regarding the replica of the legendary F/A-18C Hornet™ control stick can finally be revealed.

A flight stick grip with a rich history behind it

Following the amazing and popular level of performance made possible by its first replica joystick, the HOTAS Warthog (A-10C), Thrustmaster is thrilled to offer a new and versatile grip alternative for simmers that want to take their flight simulations to the next level.

Modeled after the multifunctional control stick found in the U.S. Navy’s famed F/A-18C Hornet™ multirole fighter, this HOTAS Add-On Grip will provide simmers a real-as-it-gets flight experience — all the way from launching off the carrier deck, to dogfighting and pounding ground targets.

Just like its namesake fighter/attack aircraft, the F/A-18C Hornet™ HOTAS Add-On Grip has been built with multitasking in mind: it’s perfect for one moment battling a MiG to the next taking out a platoon of enemy tanks.

Key product features

• Life-size, 1:1 scale replica of the F/A-18C Hornet™ flight stick handle.
• Metal design (grip), with durable, industrial-grade materials for an authentic feel and maximum product lifespan.
• 19 action buttons, including a realistic 2-step trigger and one 8-direction “Point of View” hat switch. The same number of inputs as the HOTAS Warthog control stick.
• Native integration in the game DCS (sold separately) via the dedicated F/A-18C module.
• Nearly identical stick to that used in the AV-8B Night Attack and F-15E Strike Eagle.
• Backwards-compatible with two best-selling Thrustmaster joystick bases: HOTAS Warthog and HOTAS Cougar (sold separately): easily swap your HOTAS Warthog and HOTAS Cougar with the flight grip.

While the product is compatible with all the most popular flight sim titles, the F/A-18C Hornet™ HOTAS Add-On Grip serves as a true extension for Digital Combat Simulator: F/A-18C Hornet by Eagle Dynamics.

As Matt Wagner, the Executive Producer of the Digital Combat Simulator series points out: “If you fly in DCS: F/A-18C Hornet and want to really enjoy the ultimate simulation experience, don’t wait to get your hands on this new joystick.”

Pre-orders begin:
From June 7, 2019 on Thrustmaster e-shop
From June 10, 2019 worldwide
Commercial availability: from July 25, 2019
Suggested retail price: $229.99/£179.99

World War II rages on this year with four new maps as DICE announced Chapter 4: Defying the Odds starting 27th June. From huge sandbox all-out vehicle warfare to smaller infantry battles, Battlefield V is giving fans more of what they’ve been asking for – new multiplayer map experiences.

Kicking off the new content are two new large 64-player maps. The first coming at the start of Chapter 4 is the Al Sundan map, built for classic multiplayer action, focusing on big distances, vehicle-based teamplay, and battles across all ranges. This map is based on the single player war story in the game, Under No Flag, in the vast North African desert. The Marita map comes next in July, bringing the second of the two Greece maps, after Mercury launched in Chapter 3: Trial by Fire, and sees the Battle of Greece rage on. Marita transports players to a gorgeous mountainside with cobblestone roads overlooking a river, and features infantry-focused combat where Allied forces are making a last stand to halt the Axis army.

Frantic close-quarters fights comes later in the summer with two maps tailored for intimate infantry combat. Players will destroy an explosives production factory in Lofoten Islands, and unseat the Axis occupation in Provence.

Then in October between Chapters 4 and 5 Operation Underground comes into play. Inspired by the iconic Battlefield 3 map Operation Métro, this map will feature fierce man-to-man combat across diverse play areas like urban streets, courtyards, the plaza area, service tunnels, train platforms and more.

Watch the Battlefield V – Chapter 4: Defying the Odds Trailer HERE.

Fans can get a deeper look at all of this content and more this Saturday, June 8 by tuning into the EA Play Battlefield V livestream at 10:30am PT (more info). Broadcasting live from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, the stream will be hosted by Julia Hardy and Adam Freeman with a couple special guests as well.

An overview about Chapter 4: Defying the Odds can be found on the Battlefield V website.

Paradox’s Grand Strategy Wargame Marks Milestone Birthday

Three years ago, Paradox Development Studio expanded on its beloved Hearts of Iron series with the fourth version of the World War II simulation game. With a greater focus on long-range planning and alternate histories, Hearts of Iron IV quickly became popular with armchair generals and all those who think they have a better battle plan for France.

Hearts of Iron IV marks this anniversary with a relaunch of its official website. heartsofiron.com will now provide players with up to date information on the status of the game, as well as reveals of upcoming features and downloadable content and more to come!

We’ve also prepared a celebratory trailer that notes how much has happened over the last three years.

Earlier this week, Paradox released two new DLC packs via Steam for Hearts of Iron IV – a new pack of armor graphics for the major Axis powers and a radio pack that highlights new music for each of the major factions in an attractive music player.

“The last three years have been a crazy journey for us, shaping HOI4 into its current form. We feel like we’ve done this alongside the players,” said Hearts of Iron game director Dan Lind, “I can’t wait to see what the coming years have in stock for us!”

Paradox Development Studio thanks its community for the support they have offered Hearts of Iron over the last three years. There are still many stories about World War II (or alternate World Wars) that we have yet to examine, and we look forward to bringing them to life.

Hearts of Iron IV and many of its add-on packs are on sale (limited time only) for up to 60% off and available via the Paradox Store and on Steam.

Ubisoft has announced that Torment of Hades, the second episode of the post-launch story arc of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: The Fate of Atlantis, is now available on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and Windows PC.

Torment of Hades transports players to the Underworld, a vast world of endless gloom filled with the wandering dead, ruled by the sharp and cunning Hades. As the story unfolds, players will come face-to-face with the ghosts of their past and continue their journey in mastering the Staff of Hermes. In order to escape the afterlife, players will have to help the dead find their rightful resting place and settle the debt that Hades demands.

Each of the episodes of The Fate of Atlantis will introduce new ability enhancements related to the different branches of the skill tree – Hunter, Warrior and Assassin. In this second episode, players will discover three new ability enhancements, including:

• Kronos Time Shift – part of the Warrior branch of the skill tree, and launches players into the air while temporarily blinding surrounding enemies. While you are in the air, time pauses for a moment, letting you use abilities from above or in a chain with Leap of Faith’s ground smash.
• Ares Last Breath – part of the Warrior branch of the skill tree. This healing ability will grant immunity to enemy attacks, restore 5% of damage dealt as Health and automatically parry enemy melee hits.
• Artemis Trickery – part of the Hunter branch of the skill tree, and transforms players’ arrows into deadly traps that detonate and deal damage to enemies that come in close proximity. Any type of arrow can be used and will offer a different type of effect on detonation.

In order to play Torment of Hades, players will have two different options:

• Following the main game, players will have to complete the questline Between Two Worlds, the mythological main game story arc, and the Lost Tales of Greece questline Heir of Memories that is available after completing the former questline. Finally, they must have reached character level 28 or above.
• Players who do not fulfil all the above conditions will be able to use a shortcut created specifically for them. Thanks to this shortcut, players will enter Greece at level 52 with pre-set abilities and resources, enabling them to start their adventure into the afterlife with Heir of Memories. They will also have the opportunity to choose their hero. However, contrary to the previous option, player progression using the shortcut will not carry over to the main game save, and they will not be able to obtain achievements.

The Assassin’s Creed Odyssey post-launch plan is the biggest and most ambitious in the franchise, and season pass owners will be able to access two major episodic storylines, Legacy of the First Blade and The Fate of Atlantis. Players can dive into new episodes as they premiere or experience the epic adventures in their entirety once all episodes are available. The season pass also includes Assassin’s Creed III Remastered and Assassin’s Creed III Liberation Remastered, which released for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X and Windows PC on March 29th, 2019.

For more information on Assassin’s Creed, please visit the games official website.