Author: Donster

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed® Valhalla’s next major expansion, Dawn of Ragnarök, will be releasing on 10th March 2022. Dawn of Ragnarök will be available as a separate purchase for all owners of the main game. Additionally, Ubisoft announced Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories, with two stories that feature Eivor and Kassandra available for fans tomorrow, 14th December. Both stories are available for free for owners of the respective base games, with one story featuring Eivor and Kassandra available in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and one story featuring Kassandra or Alexios available in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

With development led by Ubisoft Sofia, Dawn of Ragnarök is the next major expansion, continuing Year 2 of post-launch support for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In this expansion, Eivor must embrace their destiny as Odin, the Norse god of Battle and Wisdom. The dwarven kingdom of Svartalfheim is crumbling, and amid the chaos, Odin’s beloved son, Baldr, has been taken prisoner by the unkillable fire giant, Surtr. In Dawn of Ragnarök, players will be able to unleash new divine powers as they continue their legendary Viking saga by embarking on a desperate rescue quest through a mythological world of contrasts.

All players purchasing Dawn of Ragnarök between 13th December 2021 and 9th April 2022, will receive the Twilight Pack and will have immediate access to the main game. This exclusive bonus includes the Dellingr’s Envoy Raven Skin, the Havardr Lynx Mount, the Twilight Gear Set and the Algurnir Dane Axe Weapon.

Watch the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök – Cinematic World Premiere Trailer HERE.

Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories were also announced, the first cross-game project on the franchise, led by Ubisoft Quebec in close collaboration with Ubisoft Montreal. The content aims to answer the question, “What happens when two Assassin’s Creed heroes meet?”, exploring the connections in space and time between these Assassin’s Creed heroes to provide a unique narrative experience to players.

Assassin’s Creed Crossover Stories will be available for free for owners of the respective base games on 14th December; one story will be available in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and one story will be available in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. These stories explore the ties between the heroes of the two games, featuring new environments to explore as well as a rich story line. For the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla story, A Fated Encounter, players must have reached Settlement Level 4 and completed the quest “A Wise Friend,” where Eivor helps Valka establish herself in Ravensthorpe. For the Assassin’s Creed Odyssey story, Those Who Are Treasured, players will need to have completed Chapter 1 and reached Megaris to access the content, but it’s recommended that players finish the main game’s three story arcs (Family, Cult of Kosmos and Mythology) to avoid spoilers.

With development led by Ubisoft Montreal, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers players the captivating experience of playing as Eivor, a legendary Viking warrior, driven from Norway by endless wars and dwindling resources in ninth century AD. Players can relive the ruthless fighting style of Viking warriors with a dynamic dual-wielding combat system and experience exciting gameplay features such as raids, assaults, and the settlement, as well as a substantial progression and gear upgrade system. Political alliances, combat decisions and dialogue choices can influence the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, so players must choose wisely to protect their clan’s home and their future.

For more information about Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, please visit assassinscreed.com.

Check 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.

• ASUS Intros GeForce RTX 2060 EVO 12GB DUAL Series
• Colorful Unveils iGame GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Mini OC LHR-V
• EK Announces Special Edition GPU Water Blocks for NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti Founders Edition Cards
• Roccat Announces Vulcan TKL Pro Keyboard in Arctic White Trim
• DeepCool Launches PQ-M Series Power Supplies
• noblechairs HERO Iron Man Edition Chair is Now Available for Pre-order
• NZXT Launch its Limited-Edition Cyberpunk 2077 H710i PC Case
• ZADAK Announces SPARK DDR5 RGB Memory Kits
• EK Introduces Magnetic LED D-RGB Strips for Ultimate Case Lighting
• Thermaltake Launch White TOUGHRAM XG RGB DDR4 Memory Series
• VIPER Gaming Announces the VIPER VENOM DDR5 Performance Memory Kits
• SilentiumPC Announces Fortis 5 Air Cooler Lineup
• Thrustmaster Unveils Partnership With Boeing For New TCA Peripherals
• Cougar Intros Polar Line of High-Wattage PSUs
• Phanteks Launches its Black Glacier One 240/280/360MP Halo AIO CPU Coolers
• GIGABYTE Launches GeForce RTX™ 2060 Graphics Cards with 12GB Memory
• GALAX Intros GeForce RTX 2060 12GB 1-Click OC Graphics Card
• Inno3D Launch its Newly Revised 2060 12GB Twin X2 OC
• MSI Intros GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Ventus Graphics Card
• Gainward Unveils its GeForce RTX 2060 12GB GHOST Graphics Card
• Palit Unveils GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Dual Series
• ZOTAC Launches GeForce RTX 2060 12GB Graphics Card

Players are getting the Israeli aviation tech tree and cruisers equipped with reconnaissance aircraft

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the next major Content Update “Winged Lions” for the military online action War Thunder will be released later this December. It will bring the Israeli aviation closed beta test, launchable shipborne reconnaissance aircraft, dozens of new air, ground and naval vehicles and more.

Since the Israeli Air Force was formed after the end of World War II, the Israeli aircraft lineup begins immediately from rank IV. While researching new machines, players will follow the way that the Israeli engineers have chosen. Domestically assembled Spitfires were one the first planes in the force later joined by French Mirage III fighters that became the base for developing original Israeli Kfir (literally, “lion cub”) machines, while the US gives access to F-4 fighter jets and A-4 attackers. Aviation of Israel mainly consists of imported aircraft, but with a distinctive local feel, as they are highly modified, adapted to local conditions and equipped with new weapons. Their arsenal includes unique rockets with a shape-charge warhead, new to the game calibers of aircraft bombs, air-to-air missiles and even guided bombs!

All owners of early access packs will be able to take part in the closed testing of the Israeli aviation immediately after the “Winged Lions” update is live. After the end of closed testing, to start researching the Israeli Air Force aviation, the player will need at least one purchased aircraft of rank IV in any of the following playable nations: USA, Great Britain, France or Israel.

The update brings ship-launched reconnaissance aircraft, a feature that many large WW2 era warships were capable of. The reconnaissance aircraft will allow the players to better examine the enemy grouping, scout a ship hidden behind rocks, fight enemy aircraft, destroy an enemy boat with cannons and machine guns, or damage an enemy cruiser or destroyer with bombs. Just like regular seaplanes, reconnaissance hydroplanes will be able to capture points – a small plane can decide the outcome of a battle for large ships. Powerful and fast German battlecruiser Scharnhorst that is equipped with such aircraft will be added to War Thunder in the “Winged Lions” update.

Ground vehicle fans will get several modern tanks like Challenger 2 TES (2008) and Leclerc SXXI (2003). The most interesting one is probably Type 10, the latest Japanese MBT that entered the JSDF service in 2012. One of the main new features of Type 10 is the automatic loader located in the rear of the tank, which increases the rate of fire. The new diesel engine doubles the reverse speed in comparison with the predecessor. The Type 10 also receives a new APFSDS round, that has the same name as the tank itself – Type 10. It complements the range of shells, already familiar with the JM12A1 HEATFS and the JM33 APFSDS rounds.

Watch the “Winged Lions” Update Teaser HERE.

Follow the news at the official website to get more information on the “Winged Lions”.

Source: TechPowerUp!

NVIDIA has released the GeForce 497.09 Game Ready drivers. These introduce launch-day optimization for “Icarus,” including support for NVIDIA DLSS, and RTX ray-traced global illumination (RTX-GI). The drivers also add optimization for “Chorus,” including DLSS support; and “Halo Infinite.” Six new displays receive NVIDIA G-SYNC support. Among the fixes released with these drivers are TDR or system crashes with “DOOM Eternal” and RDR2, a display corruption with ye olde “DOOM 3 BFG Edition,” extreme gamma/contrast issues with YouTube on hardware-accelerated web-browsers; NVIDIA Image Scaling resolutions not correctly appearing in-game after a driver update; and incompatibilities between Adaptive Sync and G-SYNC.

A curious addition with these drivers is support for the GeForce RTX 2060 12 GB graphics card. We’ve been hearing reports of NVIDIA resurrecting the RTX 2060 “Turing” with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory to target the 1080p gaming crowd; and these drivers confirm it. The 12 GB SKU could be achieved by pairing the “TU106″ GPU with 12 GB of memory across its 192-bit wide memory interface.

You can download the GeForce 497.09 Game Ready drivers via GeForce.com.

Check 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.

• Chieftec Unveils Stallion 3 ARGB Case
• TEAMGROUP Launches the Upgraded SIREN GD240E AIO ARGB CPU Liquid Cooler and M200 Portable SSD
• Synology Teases RT6600ax Router With 5.9 GHz UNII-4 Support
• EK Launches G1/4-inch Plug Packs
• RAIJINTEK Releases 120mm Fan Side Flow Cooler THE MIS II
• SilentiumPC Fluctus 120 PWM ARGB Fan Launched
• Scythe Launches its New Thermal Elixer G Thermal Paste
• Genesis Announces Neon 750 RGB White Headset
• TEAMGROUP Unveil T-Force Delta TUF DDR5-6400 RAM in Partnership with ASUS
• ViewSonic Introduces New Portable Monitor Designed for Mobile, PC and Console Gaming
• Sapphire Unveil its GearBox 500 Thunderbolt GPU Enclosure with 6600 XT
• Montech Launch its AIR 1000 PREMIUM, LITE, and SILENT PC Cases
• Palit Launched The First Ever Color-Shifting Graphics Card The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ColorPOP
• ASUS Republic of Gamers Unveil its Rapture GT-AX6000 Router
• Thermaltake Reveals AH T200 Micro Case in Turquoise and Racing Green
• EK Launches Newest Vector Series Water Block for EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti FTW3

Featuring Three Standout, Distinct Multiplayer Experiences with All-Out Warfare, Battlefield Hazard Zone and Battlefield Portal

Electronic Arts Inc. has launched the highly-anticipated first-person shooter, Battlefield™ 2042. Powered by groundbreaking technology through the use of the Frostbite game engine, Battlefield 2042 features up to 128 player matches on the latest consoles* and PCs. The game introduces epic maps, a dynamic world and signals a return to modern settings which opens up the immersive sandbox gameplay through vehicles, weapons and more. Battlefield 2042 has been hailed by EGM as a “true evolution” for the series, IGN lauded the game’s “impressively huge and gorgeously detailed maps,” while Game Informer described the title as “an easy recommendation.”

Battlefield 2042 places players in a near-future, all-out war experience where resources are limited and the world powers of the United States and Russia are in conflict, while refugees from collapsed nations known as the Non-Patriated (“No-Pats”) struggle for survival. The game features the franchise’s signature Levolution, as well as dynamic storms and environmental hazards, that create an added layer of action that alters the battlefield and tactical combat.

The PC version of the game is available through Origin, the Epic Games Store, or Steam.

For more information about Battlefield 2042, visit the games website.

A free update to celebrate the kick off of the upcoming year of new content…

With Operation: Warlord’s release today, escort or assassinate a VIP in the exciting new game mode Ambush. Race from cover to cover through tight alleyways in the new map Gap. Show off on the battlefield with brand new cosmetics and master the P90 and Vector to take down enemies with style.

…and a wealth of premium new cosmetics to choose from

In addition to free weapons and cosmetics, the new Praetorian Set Bundle has been released, including four Warlord themed gear and weapon skin sets. These premium cosmetics are the first step for Year 2 content within Insurgency: Sandstorm. Owners of the Gold Edition or the Year 2 Pass can download them for free.

The free Operation: Warlord Update is now available on PC and coming soon to consoles. Insurgency: Sandstorm, along with its Deluxe and Gold Editions, are available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. In addition, Steam players can enjoy up to 50% off, while Xbox Gold Members get 15% off for a limited time.

Watch the Insurgency: Sandstorm – Operation Warlord Update Trailer HERE.

Visit the official Insurgency: Sandstorm website for more game information.

The next round of deadly fighter aircraft have landed for ACE COMBAT pilots in the Americas in the form of ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown’s “Cutting-Edge Aircraft” DLC package. This latest deployment of advance aerial combat aircraft are available for download now for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PCs via STEAM® and will include:

Three new playable aircraft:

• F/A-18F Super Hornet Block III (The Boeing Company)
• F-2A -Super Kai- (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
• MiG-35D Super Fulcrum (Joint-Stock Company Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG”)

*Special skins and weapons included for each aircraft

Additionally, this latest DLC package will include:

13 ACE COMBAT skins for rival and main character units from past ACE COMBAT games, featuring:

• MiG-31B Foxhound Varcolac Skin
• Su-37 Terminator Varcolac Skin
• F-15 S/MTD General Resource Skin
• F/A-18F Super Hornet General Resource Skin
• F-16C Fighting Falcon General Resource Skin
• X-02S Strike Wyvern Razgriz Skin
• F-22A Raptor Razgriz Skin
• F-16C Fighting Falcon Windhover Skin
• Su-57 Scarface Skin
• F-2A Nagase Skin
• ADFX-01 Morgan Glowing Red Skin
• X-02S Strike Wyvern Prototype Skin
• ADFX-01 Morgan Block1 Skin

10 new emblems:

• Four types of Nuggets emblems to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the series
• Four types of emblem from “AIR COMBAT 22”
• Two types of design emblems from other series titles

Now, strap yourself in and head to the following link to see today’s latest ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown “Cutting-Edge Aircraft” DLC trailer HERE.

Have a safe flight and happy hunting!

To find out more about ACE COMBAT 7: Skies Unknown, head over to the games official website or via Steam.

Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive, the fourth wargame in the Decisive Campaigns series, is now available exclusively on Matrix Games store. Covering the battles in the Ardennes between December 1944 and January 1945, it brings to life Operational wargaming by lowering the scale to just above tactical level.

DC: Ardennes Offensive is a classic wargame with an exceptional level of detail where the main unit of maneuver is the battalion. The game comes with a huge, full campaign scenario lasting over 16 days and several smaller scenarios focusing on several days of combat on specific parts of the front (like St. Vith and Bastogne).

Players will be able to play the whole Ardennes campaign on a 1 Km/hex map with battalion-sized Units at their command. Each day is divided into four turns, including a night turn. Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive comes with dozens of additions, changes, and improvements designed to fit its scale and to bring innovation to the series. The result is an extremely immersive operational wargame where, more than ever, intelligent tactics can beat the odds.

For more game information please visit the Decisive Campaigns: Ardennes Offensive webpage.

Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD has released the latest version of Radeon Software. Version 21.11.3 beta comes with optimization for Microsoft Flight Simulator: GOTY Edition, and Farming Simulator 22. Additional extensions of the Vulkan API are added. The drivers also fix driver-timeouts or game crashes noticed with “Battlefield 2042″ on graphics cards such as the RX 6900 XT. Stuttering or poor performance with “DayZ” on RX 5700 XT was fixed. Also fixed is elevated disk usage by the Multimedia Athena dumps folder.

The Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.11.3 drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.