Month: August 2019

newhardware-iconCheck out these latest hardware announcements for today from around the web. Also included are some hardware news bits, and on some days, a few rumors tossed in for good measure. Click on the links below to read the official press release, visit the products web page, or to an independent news source.

Hardware | Donster | |

ComancheCritical security breach reported. Loss of classified military documents confirmed: The Blueprints for the advanced reconnaissance and attack helicopter RAH-66 Comanche have been leaked. The activity of a whistleblower is most likely. As a reaction, SACEUR has authorized THQ Nordic and Nukklear to continue with the production of “Comanche” as fast as possible to counter any possible threat and to start an “Early Access” program in early 2020.

Watch the intelligence briefing HERE.

Wait … the Comanche program is back, although it has been canceled after the rise of modern UAVs? Yep, that’s the background story for the new take on Comanche, that THQ Nordic and developer Nukklear have announced today. After the Iran-US RQ170 incident from December 2011, in which a UAV was hacked and captured through cyberwarfare, the “RAH-66 Comanche” was brought back to life, and received a new role. Next to reconnaissance and air-to-ground combat, the new Comanche also acts as a carrier of a specialized, non-hackable short-range drone, that is designed to operate in high-risk environments. A new era of helicopter warfare is about to begin …

With this setting, the new game – simply called Comanche again and based on the legendary gaming franchise from Novalagic – is set to take off 2020. Comanche will begin its early access campaign and lift off as a modern, team-based online multiplayer helicopter shooter. But that’s not the only new twist. Besides your Comanche, you will also control a small, armed drone for close-quarters combat and special duties. Each Comanche/drone setup will have its own strengths and weaknesses and fulfill an important role in the objective-based team-vs-team encounters.

Early access will allow the developer to create a new, a modern Comanche experience in cooperation with the fans and the community, to ensure the best helicopter warfare game ever. Comanche is bound to release in Q1 2020 on Steam’s early access program. The game is powered by Unreal Engine 4.

About Comanche

Comanche is a team-based online multiplayer helicopter shooter set in the near future, in which you engage with your team of 4 pilots in intense helicopter dogfights and sneaky close-quarter drone combat to attack or defend high-value targets in areas of difficult access. Choose from an array of Comanche and drone configurations, and utilize their strengths to your tactical advantage. By combining the old strengths with a modern multiplayer online shooter gameplay, we bring this franchise into the 21st century.

Features

  • Two in one: Control a technically advanced version of the legendary RAH-66 Comanche helicopter in heated dogfights, and step into its accompanying drone for close-quarter combat.
  • Many strategic opportunities: Pick one of many Comanche/Drone combinations armed with varied weapons and unique gadgets that compliments your playing style.
  • Objective-based multiplayer: Every mission has its own goal – play as a team, to achieve victory.
  • Asymmetrical gameplay: Be either on the attacking or the defending side.
  • Breachable buildings: Use destructible elements in your environment to catch your opponents off-guard.
  • Early access for the players: Comanche will launch in early access to allow the community to participate in the game’s development with their feedback.
  • Constant content updates: To expand, modify and improve the game THQ Nordic and Nukklear will continuously provide new exciting content for Comanche
Comanche Combat Flight Sim | Donster | |

metro-exodusAVAILABLE TO BUY, OR FREE TO ALL EXPANSION PASS HOLDERS

Deep Silver and 4A Games announced today that The Two Colonels – the first piece of story DLC for Metro Exodus is out now.

It follows the journey and experiences of Colonel Khlebnikov during the last days of life in Novosibirsk, which Colonel Miller retraces a year later.

A quick word of warning: if you have not yet completed the Metro Exodus campaign, the below contains spoilers.

Just below the surface, under the dead city of Novosibirsk, Khlebnikov makes his way home to his son, Kirill, for New Year’s Eve.

But all is not well with the people here: the slime is further consuming the tunnels, mutant attacks appear to be on the rise and the precious ‘green stuff’ that protects the people from radiation poisoning is running low. In order to secure the survival of any of the people, those in charge may need to take drastic measures…

The Two Colonels contains classic Metro gameplay, exploring the claustrophobic environments of Novosibirsk, with all the hair-raising tension players expect from the Metro series.

This story also features a brand new weapon to fight the slime and worms of the tunnels – the deadly flamethrower. Like the Tikhar it needs to be pumped up to maintain its power, but can really light up a room. See it in action in our brand new trailer to celebrate the launch of The Two Colonels!

The Two Colonels is available to buy now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. It is included in the Metro Exodus Expansion Pass which also entitles holders to our second DLC, ‘Sam’s Story’, set for release in early 2020. Get the The Two Colonels DLC or the Metro Exodus Expansion Pass at the Epic Games Store or via Steam.

ghost-recon-breakpointSource: Blue’s News

Ubisoft announces details about Ghost War, a PvP mode coming to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the upcoming installment in the shooter series. They offer images and information on this page where those interested can sign up to possibly participate in beta testing the game next month. For those who don’t want to leave things to chance, preordering the game will guarantee a spot. If you’re on the fence, here’s a trailer and here are more details:

Today, during the Inside Xbox livestream at Gamescom 2019, Ubisoft unveiled Ghost War, the PvP mode for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Breakpoint, the latest installment in the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® franchise. Ghost War will be available for all players at launch on October 4 and will receive regular content updates. Players who want to try Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint for themselves, including Ghost War, can sign up for the Beta taking place September 5 to 8 on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X and Windows PC. Players who pre-order any edition of the game will gain access to the Beta.*

Ghost War is an intense 4v4 experience built on the tactical squad play from the Ghost Recon series, where strategy and teamwork are just as important as skill. At launch, players will be able to choose from four classes, Assault, Panther, Sharpshooter and Medic, each fulfilling specific roles on the battlefield as they engage with enemies across six unique maps. New features, such as cover mechanics, impact of the terrain and injury system were adapted from the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint’s campaign and will bring additional depth to the experience.

Two distinct modes will be available at launch:

  • Elimination is an intense team death match mode with a tactical twist where the new shrinking combat zone mechanics force players to jump into the heat of the fight!
  • Sabotage is an asymmetrical bomb mode where attackers have to plant and successfully detonate a bomb at either of the Bomb Sites, while defenders try to stop them.

For the first time, Ghost War is seamlessly integrated within the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint experience. With the new shared progression system, each player will progress in PvE and PvP with the same character and keep their unlocked classes, skills, customization items and weapons across both modes. Specific tuning will be implemented for PvP to ensure a fair and skill-based experience for all players.

Ghost War benefits from the development team’s learnings from over two years of support on Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands’ PvP. The team introduced several improvements based on player feedback, such as improved detection mechanics and removed class restrictions per team. In Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Ghost War will also have dedicated servers, reduced loading screens and improved matchmaking.

Additionally, Ghost War will receive massive post-launch support. In addition to regular balancing updates and improvements, the development team plans to bring new maps, new classes, new weapons and even new modes and events will be added in the future to enrich and refresh the experience over time.

sniper-ghost-warrior-contractsKeep it steady with a brand new trailer, focused on the game’s titular contracts!

Today, CI Games is excited to officially announce that Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts will be available everywhere with a global release date of November 22, 2019. Launching on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, this represents a return to form for the Sniper Ghost Warrior series, offering up best-in-class sniping and empowering players with more ways to take down their targets than ever before. Get the inside scoop on a brand new region and a wealth of new tactical tools to up your game with in the latest trailer!

Get your first look at the latest area:

While the initial gameplay reveal introduced viewers to Siberia’s wilderness, the latest trailer takes place in a harbor that’s sure to be a sniper’s delight. Going by the name of Black Gold, this is the second of five unique regions present in the game, each based on actual locations deep in the heart of Siberia. Defined by its wide-open spaces, Black Gold is the perfect locale to test out Contracts’ brand new sniping mechanic, the Dynamic Reticle System, which enables players to better manage the ballistics and atmospheric conditions of their every shot.

Given Contracts’ more realistic approach to combat with its focus on sniping, stealth, and tactical thinking, the Dynamic Reticle System isn’t the only new tool available to players. From pilotable Scout Drones and integrated binoculars with a built-in recon system, to their Augmented Reality Mask and special bullet types, players have a whole arsenal of new gadgets to get familiar with. Whether at long range or in the heat of a firefight, these new tools serve to enhance the rich, tactical gameplay the Sniper Ghost Warrior series is known for.

At the core of all of this is the brand new contracts system. Scattered across each region are main contracts which task players with executing key targets in order to progress to new regions. While there are a total of 25 main contracts that comprise the core campaign narrative, each region acts as a sniping sandbox, densely-packed with side-objectives to complete and ambient tasks to uncover. With a focus on emergent combat encounters, no two deployments play out the same. This encourages players to tackle contracts multiple times as they earn funds to upgrade their gear in between contracts.

From an in-depth single-player campaign to a range of multiplayer options, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts features a wealth of different ways to play while keeping you on your toes with every single encounter. Wipe down your scope and throw on a jacket, because the harsh Siberian wilderness is set to challenge even the most seasoned on sniper.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts will launch in November 22, 2019 on PS4, Xbox One and PC. For more information about the Sniper Ghost Warrior series, head to SGWContracts.com.

Hardware | Donster | |

First U-boats ready for testing

Developer and publisher Wargaming today confirmed that they’re working on adding submarines as playable vessels in World of Warships, the premier online naval combat game. Closed testing will begin in a couple of weeks and as usual players participating in the World of Warships Supertest will be the first to try out and provide feedback on the new vehicle class.

The initial test phase will feature four playable submarines representing the US Navy and the German Kriegsmarine. More details about submarine models and their unique features will be revealed at gamescom 2019.

The fundamental nature of naval warfare shifted dramatically with the coming of advanced submarines and the new tactics they introduced. Going below sea level will open a completely new dimension for players, who have been asking for this iconic class of ships since the game was launched in 2015. Right now, World of Warships offers more than 300 historical warships to play with, divided into four different ship classes – destroyers, cruisers, battleships and aircraft carriers.

World of Warships has continually evolved with new gameplay mechanics, innovative game modes and rich content since its release,” said Artur Plociennik, Executive Producer of World of Warships. “The uniqueness of submarines poses very interesting design challenges for our team, which we hope to be able to turn into novel new gameplay tactics for our players and to make online naval combat more exciting than ever before. We are always looking for new ways to make our audience happy and we’re aiming to fulfill every player’s fantasy of WW2 submarine operations.

Stay in touch with World of Warships to find out more as we progress through development and release more details on this upcoming content.

About World of Warships

World of Warships is a free, historical, online combat game from Wargaming. Command a massive naval fleet featuring some of history’s most iconic war vessels, level up important tech modules and prepare to dominate the oceans in World of Warships.

With four classes of ships, myriad upgrades, and strategically designed environments, the action never ends and every match is a unique experience.

World of Warships brings players endless hours of strategy, tactical gameplay and pulse-pounding combat!

Head over to the official World of Warships website now to sign up and play World of Warships for free!

MMORPGs World of Warships | Donster | |

call-of-duty-modern-warfareSource: Blue’s News

A new Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer offers a look at multiplayer combat from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. This is shot on a PlayStation 4 Pro, but does show off the game in 4K resolution. Here’s word:

We’re back with more Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multiplayer gameplay! Captured in 4K on PlayStation 4 Pro, this gameplay includes 5 different game modes across 5 multiplayer maps, including one night variant!

  • Grazna Raid – Headquarters
  • Azhir Cave (Night) – Team Deathmatch
  • Hackney Yard – Cyber Attack
  • Azhir Cave – Headquarters
  • Gun Runner – Domination
  • Aniyah Palace – 5 Flag Domination

Don’t miss out on all the action! Pre-order now and get open beta early access beginning on September 12, first on PS4.

total-war-shogun-2–fall-of-the-samuraiSource: Blue’s News

Creative Assembly announces Total War: SHOGUN II – Fall of the Samurai is now part of their Total War Saga series under the new title of A Total War Saga: FALL OF THE SAMURAI. This is now available on Steam, and all existing owners are receiving all of the game’s faction pack DLCs except the Blood Pack for free. For everyone else, the Windows, macOS, and Linux game is now available for 75% off. There are more details on the change on the Total War Blog, and here’s an overview:

FALL OF THE SAMURAI has always encapsulated what Creative Assembly believe a Saga title should aspire to in terms of their size and scope. These titles take the grand strategy and real-time battles of a core Total War game and channel them into an intense flashpoint of history, letting you experience and ultimately determine the outcome of pivotal moments in history when the future of entire nations hung in the balance.

FALL OF THE SAMURAI depicts the dramatic clash of traditional Samurai culture with the explosive power of modern weaponry, and now includes all DLC faction packs. Set 400 years after the events of Total War: SHOGUN 2, you must guide ancient Japan into the modern age as the arrival of America, Britain and France incites a ferocious civil war which will decide the future of a nation.

asus-rog-radeon-rx-5700-xt-strix-ocBy W1zzard @ TechPowerUp!

ASUS today launched the first fully custom-design Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics card, the Republic of Gamers STRIX RX 5700 XT OC. The company leads a string of custom-design Radeon RX 5700 series “Navi” graphics card launches from AMD’s add-in board partners a little over a month after AMD debuted this 7 nm GPU on 7/7 (7th July). The RX 5700 XT and its sibling, the RX 5700, have until today only been available in AMD’s reference-design boards.

The Radeon RX 5700 XT is AMD’s first true performance-segment graphics card in over two years since the RX Vega series. It’s based on the brand new “Navi” architecture that leverages the 7 nm silicon fabrication process and brand new number-crunching machinery AMD calls RDNA compute units. These constitute the biggest update to AMD’s GPU design since the very first Graphics CoreNext (GCN) architecture circa 2013. Together with clock speeds, RDNA is designed to bring about massive IPC improvements over GCN. The silicon also has a number of architectural changes. An interesting series of price adjustments and product launches ensures that even at its starting price of $399, it offers a bit more price-performance than NVIDIA.

Read The Review Here

Hardware Video Cards | Donster | |