First-Person Shooters

far-cry-5By Edmond Tran @ GameSpot

If you’re familiar with the premise of Far Cry–the idea of a one-person army taking on overwhelming hostile forces in large, unpredictable surroundings–then you know exactly what Far Cry 5 feels like. You’ll engage in different styles of offensive conflict; attempt to tame the wild, natural environment to your advantage; and slowly build a guerilla resistance in the background. But for its fifth mainline entry, the series formula has undergone some very positive refinements, which make its core hook of exploring and engaging with its volatile setting a more free-flowing and pleasant experience. It lets you fully enjoy the sights and activities of its beautiful and interesting open-world without too many overt distractions.

The biggest change is that the series is finally confident enough to put you in charge of your own progression. After a brief orientation, the entire region of Hope County, Montana USA is immediately open for exploration. Three intimidatingly large regions surround your starting point, and you’re given only a gentle suggestion of a good first destination. The moment when you’re shown all the equally accessible possibilities and the furthest reaches of the map feels liberating–you may even be crippled by the choice, and that’s a good problem to have.

Read on…

 

Far Cry 5 First-Person Shooters | Donster | |

far-cry-5Join the Resistance Against a Fanatical Doomsday Cult as Far Cry Comes to America

Today, Ubisoft announced that Far Cry 5, the latest installment of the critically acclaimed Far Cry franchise, is now available on the PlayStation®4 Pro computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4, the Xbox One family of devices and Windows PC. Far Cry 5 is rated PEGI 18. View the Far Cry 5 Launch Gameplay Trailer HERE.

Set in America, a first for the franchise, Far Cry 5 offers players total freedom to navigate a serene-looking yet deeply twisted world as the new junior deputy of fictional Hope County, Montana. Players will find that their arrival accelerates a years-long silent coup by a fanatical doomsday cult, the Project at Eden’s Gate, igniting a violent takeover of the county. Under siege and cut off from the rest of the world, players will join forces with residents of Hope County and form the Resistance.

Far Cry 5, developed by Ubisoft Montreal in collaboration with other studios*, is a first person shooter set in a completely open world. Players will have the freedom of choice, wrapped in an immersive story with memorable characters, where they can experience Far Cry Moments: unpredictable and unforgettable moments in the game – like getting attacked by a bear while quietly fishing, or being rescued by Boomer at just the right time. Players can play any way they want, including recruiting Guns for Hire, Fangs for Hire, and a Friend for Hire, which allows players to play the entire game in co-op, a franchise first.

Far Cry 5 also includes Far Cry Arcade, the biggest and most versatile map editor mode for the Far Cry series. In Far Cry Arcade, players can create new scenarios by utilising assets from other titles in the series as well as other Ubisoft franchises, including Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed Unity, or Watch Dogs®, for solo, co-op or competitive experiences.

Players can also purchase the Gold Edition of Far Cry 5, which includes the base game, season pass and bonus content. The Far Cry 5 Season Pass transports players to uncanny adventures across three unique settings with the upcoming DLCs – Hours of Darkness, Dead Living Zombies and Lost on Mars – and more. On top of that, players who purchase the season pass for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One get Far Cry 3® Classic Edition at no additional cost, while PC players get the full version of Far Cry 3 at no extra cost on May 29th. Far Cry 3 Classic Edition will also be available as a standalone purchase on June 26th.

The Season Pass is also available as an add-on purchase on the PlayStation®4 Pro computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4, the Xbox One family of devices and Windows PC.

For more information about Far Cry 5, please visit farcry.com. You can purchase Far Cry 5 via the games official store page or from Steam.

Far Cry 5 First-Person Shooters | Donster | |

metro-exodusSource: TechPowerUp!

After the world was introduced to the Microsoft and NVIDIA partnership to bring real time raytracing solutions to DirectX 12 via NVIDIA’s RTX initiative, we now have confirmation of what is expected to be the first game studio – and AAA game experience – to feature the technology. In a post from their official Twitter account, 4A Games has announced that they are collaborating with NVIDIA to bring RTX’s effects to their upcoming Metro: Exodus open-world video game.

The company further warned users to keep at attention towards the impending release of a proof of concept video to be released during GDC. 4A Games is one of those companies that has been delivering incredible experiences through and through, and has already dabbled with NVIDIA’s technologies in the past (particularly with their first game, Metro 2033). Here’s hoping that AMD can work its drivers into great performance levels in supporting this DX12 technology on their graphics cards as well.

arma-3-laws-of-warHalf of Bohemia Interactive’s net revenue from Laws of War DLC in 2017 donated to ICRC

As pledged last August, independent games developer Bohemia Interactive has donated half of its 2017 net revenue from direct sales of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised is USD 176,667 (one-hundred and seventy-six thousand, six-hundred and sixty-seven US dollars – approximately EUR 143,543 or GBP 126,016).

To further celebrate the special occasion, the studio published a special blog post, which includes a new story trailer for the DLC, plus an infographic with statistics on how people played Laws of War’s mini-campaign.

With over two billion gamers worldwide, video games have an incredible potential to convey the importance of international humanitarian law (IHL). The collaboration between Bohemia interactive and the ICRC has been extraordinary and we have learned a lot from each other by exchanging ideas and our respective expertise on how to incorporate IHL into a video game. The success of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC has shown us that video games are one of the many ways to reach new audiences and call attention to the fact that wars do have limits and rules. We are also very grateful that Bohemia Interactive will donate $176,667 to the ICRC, which shows their commitment to support our work, to help people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in over eighty countries.” said Helen Durham, Director for International Law and Policy at the ICRC.

Bohemia Interactive’s CEO, Marek Spanel: “We knew this DLC’s theme might seem a bit unusual, but we also felt that it has a rightful place in a game like Arma 3. At the same time, our community normally expects more traditional content you’d see in a military game, such as new weapons, tanks, and helicopters. That has made it even more amazing to see the immense level of player support for the Laws of War DLC, which really shows again how both games and the gaming audience have matured. If you also consider that some of our players are in the military or might pursue a military career in the future, then we’re glad this DLC has been able to increase awareness for this important topic. And being able to also make a financial contribution to the ICRC’s efforts is a great bonus.

Arma 3 Laws of War is a downloadable content pack for Bohemia Interactive’s military game Arma 3. It explores a different perspective on the battlefield by introducing a fictional humanitarian NGO faction called IDAP (International Development & Aid Project) to the game. The package also includes a new van, a drone, outfits and gear, and a range of decorative objects such as shelter tents and medical or food supplies. One of the main highlights of the DLC is the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here, players take on the role of IDAP explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, and uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro – witnessing the long-term consequences of war and particularly the effects of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Furthermore, the Laws of War DLC implemented a free Showcase scenario on the topic of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This singleplayer scenario, which is presented as a virtual reality training course hosted by IDAP, aims to provide all Arma 3 players with the opportunity to become more familiar with the DLC’s complex and serious theme.

More information about the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is available on the official Arma 3 Laws of War webpage.

Arma 3 First-Person Shooters | Donster | |

call-of-duty-wwiiSource: Blue’s News

A weekly update from Sledgehammer Games has details on a new patch that’s now live in Call of Duty: WWII, a major content update which includes new item types including weapon charms and weapon reticles as well as changes to the Quartermaster and Supply Drop system. Activision also announces the commencement of Operation: Shamrock & Awe, a St. Patrick’s Day-themed community event that will run until April 3rd. Here are the details:

Shipment 1944

Shipment 1944, a re-imagining of the classic close-quarters Multiplayer map, is free and available in Call of Duty: WWII in early access for Season Pass owners starting today. The map is free and available to all on Friday, March 16.

Leprechaun Hunt Moshpit

The Leprechaun Hunt Moshpit delivers Team Deathmatch, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed and Domination modes with a twist: a fleet-footed zombie leprechaun hidden in each map. Players who eliminate the terrifying little sprite are rewarded with something better than a pot o’ gold – all of their equipped Scorestreaks full and ready to deploy.

This mode will be available for players as a Featured Public Match playlist during Operation: Shamrock & Awe, offering 2XP from 10:00 am Pacific on March 16 to 10:00 am Pacific on March 19.

New Weapons and Gear

Players will find all-new St. Patrick’s Day-themed gear, including uniforms, helmets, weapon camos and more, only available during Operation: Shamrock & Awe.

As well as new gear, Operation: Shamrock & Awe delivers two all-new weapons to Call of Duty: WWII – the M-38 Submachine Gun and the MG 81 Light Machine Gun. Both weapons have St. Paddy’s Day-themed variants, available only during Operation: Shamrock & Awe, though other variants of both weapons will continue to be available in the game once the community event concludes.

Check out the Operation: Shamrock & Awe screenshots and trailer via the Call of Duty community blog.

wolfenstein2-the-new-colossusSource: Blue’s News

Bethesda.net has news that The Deeds of Captain Wilkins is now available for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, completing the Freedom Chronicles DLC trilogy for the alternate history shooter. They offer a new trailer setting up the story and showing off gameplay. Here’s word:

Gather ‘round, lovers of freedom! Following The Adventures of Gunslinger Joe and The Diaries of Agent Silent Death comes a third tale of heroism, courage, valor and good ol’ fashioned Nazi-killin’.

The Deeds of Captain Wilkins, the final installment in the Freedom Chronicles trilogy, is now available. In this thrilling chapter renowned US Army veteran and resistance fighter Captain Gerald Wilkins travels to Nazi-controlled Alaska, armed with a stolen experimental battlewalker contraption, to stop a nefarious superweapon known as the Sun Gun.

The Deeds of Captain Wilkins is the third expansion in the Freedom Chronicles Season Pass, a series of DLC packs for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus featuring the stories of three unique heroes fighting for liberty against the Nazi scourge. The Freedom Chronicles Season Pass can be purchased digitally for $24.99 (US) / £17.99 (UK) / $34.95 (AUS) / €24.99 (EUR).

arma-3-tanksDeveloper diary video reveals new armored vehicles and more

Bohemia Interactive today announced the release date for the upcoming Arma 3 Tanks DLC and revealed the DLC’s content and features. Available on April 11, Tanks DLC will conclude Arma 3′s current development roadmap by introducing a brand new Main Battle Tank, Armored Weapons Carrier, Tank Destroyer, a short singleplayer mini-campaign, and a singleplayer Showcase scenario.

The Tanks DLC will be accompanied by a major platform update. This update will be free for everyone who owns Arma 3, and implements a range of new gameplay features and bonus content related to armored vehicles, such as fully-modeled 3D interiors, more targeting options, new launchers and additional vehicle variants, decorative objects for scenario creators, a competitive multiplayer mode, and more. The complete package is explored in-depth in a new developer diary video.

Arma 3 Tanks DLC Key Features:

  • T-140 Angara – The T-140 Angara is a Main Battle Tank (MBT) of Russian design and is used by the CSAT faction. This vehicle is built to deliver maximum destruction, while providing the best kind of protection to its crew. The Angara’s primary weapon is a new 125 mm cannon, which can fire three different kinds of ammunition, and has a longer effective range than the cannons on most Western tanks. Its secondary weapons are a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. Aside from the regular T-140, the Angara also comes in the T-140K ‘Commander’ variant, which replaces the heavy machine gun for a 30 mm autocannon, and is equipped with sensors to share target data via the Data Link with other units.
  • AWC Nyx – The Nyx Armored Weapons Carrier (AWC) is of German engineering descent, but was licensed and modified by the AAF faction. Its smaller size makes it relatively fast and mobile, and even allows for it to be slingloaded by the CH-49 Mohawk helicopter. The Nyx comes in four variants: Anti-Tank, Anti-Air, Recon, and the Autocannon variant. All of these variants wear an armor jacket that is able to withstand 7.62 ammunition, but each vehicle variant carries different types of weapons or equipment to serve specific needs on the battlefield. Just like the other new vehicles in this DLC, the Nyx is available in multiple liveries.
  • Rhino MGS – The Rhino is a wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) that is purpose-built to fight against tanks. For this reason, it’s also referred to as a ‘Tank Destroyer’. The Rhino MGS has a 120 mm cannon, which can fire all kinds of standard rounds, but also the new MARUK ATGM. It has a secondary weapon in the form of a coaxial .338 magnum machine gun. The Rhino also comes in the UP variant. This variant features an additional remote 12.7 mm heavy machine gun turret, and improved protection in the form of cage and ERA armor. It makes the UP more suitable for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), but does add weight and limits options for transport. Both variants of the Rhino are connected to the Data Link, which enables them to lock onto targets picked up or painted by friendly armed forces.
  • “Altis Requiem” Mini-Campaign – Over the course of three singleplayer scenarios, you assume the role of an AAF tank commander, and you get to experience the opposite perspective of the NATO offensive featured in Arma 3′s vanilla “The East Wind” campaign. Here, you’re placed in command of the new AWC Nyx in the fight against the FIA. Later you’re also presented with the opportunity to operate the new T-140 Angara Main Battle Tank. This short mini-campaign leads to different possible endings based on your playstyle and performance.
  • Showcase Tank Destroyers – In this singleplayer Showcase scenario, you play as a NATO crewman on board the new Rhino MGS UP. This Tank Destroyer has similar firepower to a Main Battle Tank, but is much more vulnerable in terms of armor protection. As such, you will need to make good use of the Rhino’s speed and maneuverability to complete your objectives.

Arma 3 Platform Update 

Tanks DLC will be complemented by a major free platform update (version 1.82). This update introduces free new features and bonus content for all owners of Arma 3:

  • One of the highlight of this update is the addition of fully-modeled 3D interiors for all armored vehicles in Arma 3. On top of that, the overall experience of operating armored vehicles will be enhanced in the form of improved handling, an extended damage model, vehicle customization options, and upgraded audio.
  • Moreover, players will be able to make use of various new targeting options while fighting with or against armored vehicles; the Fire-Control System (FCS) automatically measures the range and speed of a target, adjusts a weapon’s zeroing, and calculates the lead to increase the chances of a first-round hit, whereas new missile flight profiles and capabilities enable players to fire missiles in either a direct or top-down attack mode. The update will also add support for terrain-following munitions, plus a few weapons will now also have the ability to lock-on after launch.
  • Aside from new features, the free platform update will also introduce a new team-vs-team multiplayer mode called “Vanguard”, 3 new Time Trial Challenges for the new DLC vehicles, as well as free bonus content such as 2 new anti-tank launchers, and new vehicle variants of the Offroad pickup and Light Strike Vehicles that carry a mounted launcher.
  • Lastly, Arma 3 content creators will be able to make use of a variety of free new decorative objects via the in-game Scenario Editor.

Arma 3 Tanks DLC is now available for pre-order with a 10% pre-order discount on the Bohemia Store and Steam (original price: € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99). People can also pick up the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2 (includes Jets, Laws of War, Tac-Ops Mission Pack, and Tanks DLC) at € 22.99 / $ 24.99 / £ 19.99, which saves them more than 25% over purchasing each DLC separately.

A complete overview of the content and features in Arma 3 Tanks DLC (and its associated free 1.82 platform update) is available at www.arma3.com/dlc/tanks.

Arma 3 First-Person Shooters | Donster | |

call-of-duty-black-ops-4-boxTop-Selling Series in Call of Duty History Makes its Return 12th October

Black Ops is back! In what represents a game-changing experience, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will revolutionise the top-selling series in Call of Duty history when it launches worldwide on Friday, 12th October for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Call of Duty fans can tune in Thursday, 17th May, when publisher Activision, a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, and award-winning developer Treyarch host the community reveal to a worldwide audience.

View the official Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 teaser trailer HERE.

insurgency-sandstormEvolving the original Insurgency formula, the multi-million selling FPS comes enhanced and expanded. Insurgency: Sandstorm is built in Unreal Engine 4 with upgraded graphics, taking the series into a new era. Coming to PC and, for the first time, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; Insurgency: Sandstorm brings extended gameplay possibilities, improved immersion, as well as new co-op and versus objective-based game modes. All this while retaining the lethal tactical action that made Insurgency the worldwide phenomenon it is today. Six new screenshots are available direct from the ongoing Closed Alpha.

Experience kinetic, gritty, and immersive combat on a modern battlefield that strikes a balance between action and simulation gameplay. Both you and your enemies can die in as few as one or two shots; there is no health bar, kill feed, crosshair, or regenerating health. Teams must move with speed and fluidity as they weave through dense urban environments, capturing and destroying vital enemy objectives.

Each weapon has unique ballistic calculations that take into account bullet drop, travel time, and penetration power. Bullets are tracked realistically in each magazine container, and magazines do not automatically merge together. Choose to drop magazines for faster reloads in dangerous situations, carefully open doors to keep quiet, or bash them down with a shoulder charge. Returning players will experience new features like fire support mechanics, driveable light vehicles, character customization, weapon customization, and competitive matchmaking.

View the new screenshots on this Insurgency: Sandstorm forum page.

Insurgency: Sandstorm is coming out later this year on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

rainbowsix-siege-logoTwo new Operators and an entirely new game mode are now available in Rainbow Six: Siege on all platforms. The Operators, Finka and Lion, bring new gadgets with the power to affect their allies and enemies no matter where they are on the map. These abilities are set to shake things up in competitive multiplayer, but they can also be used to great effect in Outbreak. In this limited-time co-op event, teams of up to three players face off against hordes of deadly enemies mutated by an alien parasite in order to discover the truth behind the infestation.

The Operation Chimera Operators are available now for Year 3 Season Pass holders, and in seven days, they will become available for purchase in-game using Renown or R6 Credits. Outbreak is available for free to all Siege owners from March 6 to April 3.

This marks the beginning of Year 3 for Rainbow Six: Siege, a year which will bring more new Operators, maps, and game updates. Going forward, players who own or purchase the Standard, Advanced, Gold, or Complete editions of the game will no longer have to pay Renown to unlock attachments or any of the original 20 Operators. Additionally, players who purchase the PC-only Starter Edition will get more Operators unlocked from the get-go, with a total of six Operators (randomly unlocked from a selection of 10) instead of four.

To get all the latest news on Rainbow Six: Siege, please visit www.rainbow6.com.