When American P-38s covering a British naval force in the Aegean Sea encountered a group of attacking German Ju-87s, a massacre ensued.

By Anthony Rogers @ Historynet.com

In October 1943 U.S. Lockheed P-38 Lightnings were briefly involved in an ambitious British operation in the Aegean Sea, providing cover for the Royal Navy, carrying out fighter sweeps and bombing enemy ground installations. Despite chalking up multiple victories during one of the most lopsided air actions of the war, no sooner had they made their presence felt, than the P-38s were withdrawn to continue operations over southern Europe.

Read on…

Source: Blue’s News

A post to the Activision Games Blog explains the Call of Duty team’s approach to releasing new content for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Admitting there are “still questions around how the economy will evolve throughout the post-launch, live seasons,” they say that Battle Passes for the shooter will not be sold upon launch to allow players to work through the unlocks, and that all functional content can be unlocked by playing. They are also removing multiplayer map packs to allow everyone to play together, and making other changes to create an even playing field:

A message from the Call of Duty team.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is almost here. From the moment this project began three years ago, the energy has been extraordinary.

We’ve set our sights on not only creating the best game possible this year, but also on breaking down walls and bringing the community together. Starting with Modern Warfare, we will be:

• Introducing crossplay to unite the community across platforms for the first time.
• Removing Season Pass and a la carte DLC multiplayer map packs to ensure everyone can play together.
• Delivering free post-launch multiplayer maps and modes for all players.
• Releasing post-launch multiplayer maps and modes simultaneously on all platforms.

We are excited about what these changes will bring to Call of Duty players. That said, we also recognize there is one more topic that many fans are interested to learn more about.

Today, let’s address the basics for the in-game economy coming in Modern Warfare.

• We are introducing a new Battle Pass system, not a loot box system.
• All functional content that has an impact on game balance, such as base weapons and attachments, can be unlocked simply by playing the game.
• The new Battle Pass system will allow players to see the content that they are earning or buying. Battle Passes will launch timed to new, post-launch live seasons, so you can unlock cool new Modern Warfare-themed content that matches each season.
• With the new Battle Pass system, players will be able to earn COD Points by playing the game.
• There will be both a Free Stream and a Premium Stream of content in the Battle Pass System in Modern Warfare. New base weapons will be earned through gameplay, simply by playing Modern Warfare. Functional attachments for base weapons can be unlocked through gameplay as well just like in the game’s Beta.
• The Battle Pass and the In-Game Store will feature a variety of cosmetic content that does not impact game balance.

The Battle Pass System for Modern Warfare will not launch when the game releases on October 25th. Here’s why: First and foremost, we are all focused on making the Day One experience awesome. Second, it’s important to us that everyone who is playing Modern Warfare has the chance to work their way through the new game and unlock all the rewards that are waiting for you. We expect to launch this system for Modern Warfare later this year.

Understandably there are still questions around how the economy will evolve throughout the post-launch, live seasons. We recognize this will take time to fully demonstrate. Please know we are committed to delivering a fair system guided by the principles we’ve outlined here, and will continue to monitor feedback and player engagement to help us achieve that goal.

Please look for more information on the live seasons and post-release content plans for Modern Warfare throughout the year and beyond.

We are looking forward to playing in just a few days.

Thank you.

You can play The Division 2 for free this weekend, in celebration of the release of Episode 2: Pentagon—The Last Castle and a massive free update bringing wide-ranging improvements to all players. From now through October 20, you can download and play the full game on Xbox One (Xbox Live Gold required), PS4, and PC. Take to the conflict-ravaged streets of Washington, DC and fight against diverse enemy factions as you level-up your Agent, expand your arsenal, and explore the city in solo or co-op play with up to three other players. Any progress you make during the free weekend will carry over should you decide to purchase the game, which will be on sale for up to 70% on the PlayStation Store (Oct. 15-28), Microsoft Store (Oct. 17-27), Uplay Store (Oct. 17-28), and Epic Store (Oct. 17-20).

For more details, visit The Division 2 Free Weekend site, and to check in on the latest updates and new content drops, peruse our Division 2 news hub.

Source: Blue’s News

Steam offers free weekend for another game, as Crusader Kings II can be played gratis for the next free days. Here’s a refresher on this Windows, macOS, and Linux grand strategy game:

The Dark Ages might be drawing to a close, but Europe is still in turmoil. Petty lords vie against beleaguered kings who struggle to assert control over their fragmented realms. The Pope calls for a Crusade to protect the Christians in the Holy Land even as he refuses to relinquish control over the investiture of bishops – and their riches. Now is the time for greatness. Expand your demesne and secure the future of your dynasty. Fill your coffers, appoint vassals, root out traitors and heretics, introduce laws and interact with hundreds of nobles, each with their own agenda.

A good lord will always need friends to support him. But beware, as loyal vassals can quickly turn to bitter rivals, and some might not be as reliable as they seem… Stand ready, and increase your prestige until the world whispers your name in awe. Do you have what it takes to become a Crusader King?

Crusader Kings II explores one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy. Medieval Europe is brought to life in this epic game of knights, schemes, and thrones…

Keeping Threadripper cool on a budget

By Garrett Carver @ Tom’s Hardware

A large, dual-tower heatpipe cooler with an RGB accented shroud, Arctic’s newly released Freezer 50 TR is designed specifically to attack the substantial thermal loads produced by AMD’s Threadripper CPUs. For $75.99 (£60), the Freezer 50 TR even includes an aRGB control module to manage the integrated lighting accents along the top of the cooler shroud.

Read The Review Here

Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD late Thursday released the Radeon Software Adrenalin 19.10.1 WHQL. These drivers are identical to the Adrenalin 19.10.1 Beta drivers released earlier this month, with the only difference being WHQL certification. AMD is picking up the pace with WHQL releases of Radeon Software, as more OEMs are implementing Radeon RX 5700-series and upcoming RX 5500-series GPUs, and prefer WHQL-signed drivers. The 19.10.1 drivers introduce support for AMD’s new Radeon RX 5500 series graphics cards based on its new 7 nm “Navi 11″ silicon, along with fixes for “Borderlands 3″ running in DirectX 12 mode, optimization for “GRID,” and fixes certain display problems with high refresh-rate settings.

The new Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.10.1 WHQL drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.

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.

• G.SKILL Announces Extreme Low Latency DDR4-4000 CL15 32GB Memory Kits
• XIGMATEK Unveils the ZEUS Spectrum Edition Open Tower Chassis
• BIOSTAR Launches AMD RYZEN 3000 Ready RACING X570GTA Motherboard
• ARCTIC’s Mammoth Freezer 50 TR CPU Cooler For AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPUs Launched
• Lamptron Outs SM436 Sync Edition PCI RGB-Fan and LED-Controller
• iBUYPOWER Announces New MR Series of Cases
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, 3970X and 3990X Launch Dates Leaked

Update 0.8.9 sees early access launch of new nation, while also kicking off Halloween celebrations with return of Saving Transylvania and Sunray in the Darkness Operations

Wargaming has today rolled out the latest update for World of Warships – 0.8.9 – which sees the launch of the brand-new Italian cruiser line into early access of the popular online naval combat game. The introduction of the Italian cruisers comes with new mechanics, a game event with new directives, the new Taranto Port, and much more.

A new video for update 0.8.9 can be viewed HERE.

Update 0.8.9 also kicks off the Halloween celebrations with the return of the popular Saving Transylvania and Sunray in the Darkness Operations. The second Halloween phase will be available from October 31st and will bring to light a new game mode “Raid for the Filth” allowing players to do battle against otherworldly forces while their own ships slowly transform from man-made machines into gigantic sea monsters.

A new developer diary taking an in-depth look at update 0.8.9 including the new cruisers of the Italian Navy and the Halloween event, can be viewed HERE.

The Italian warships included in update 0.8.9 present the first researchable branch of the Italian Navy. Players can now get early access to the first Italian cruisers with the introduction of the Raimondo Montecuccoli (Tier V), Trento (Tier VI), Zara (Tier VII) and Amalfi (Tier VIII). The new cruisers are notable for their maneuverability and powerful 203 mm guns on Tier VI ships and upwards. Two new mechanics are also introduced:

• Semi-armor-piercing (SAP) shells combine certain characteristics of both AP and HE shells to steadily inflict large amounts of regular damage to enemy ships, but are unable to start a fire.
• The Exhaust Smoke Generator is a unique consumable that can conceal a player’s ship without it having to reduce speed.

A new game event gives players the opportunity to earn special rewards, including new containers and a new temporary resource: Italian Tokens. These can be exchanged in the Armory for permanent and expendable camouflages, signals, days of Warships Premium Account, credits, Random Bundles or event containers for a chance to unlock early access to the Italian Cruisers. Finally, players will have the opportunity to admire their recently acquired ships in the brand-new Taranto Port.

The spookiest day of the year, Halloween, will see the start of the new “Raid for the Filth” game mode. Players will be able to research and command magic-infused ships across three different branches: destroyers, cruisers, and battleships. They will face off against other human opponents as well as hordes of dark forces controlled by AI. The main objective is to gather Filth, a special resource, both from set locations or from defeated enemies before escaping through a centrally situated portal. Filth can then be exchanged in the Armory for valuable rewards such as credits or random bundles for new permanent camouflages, signals, XP and much more.

Finally, in Update 0.8.9, players can keep on celebrating Halloween as long as they want with a new set of creepy, monster-styled permanent camouflages.

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

New map for Tannenberg features the ‘breadbasket of the empire’!

A new map is live now for WW1 Eastern Front shooter Tannenberg!

Join the battle across the border in the Ukraine!

Ukraine was not yet an independent nation at the time of the First World War. Instead the territory was split between the Russian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Ukrainians fought on both sides in the conflict, with 3,500,000 fighting for Russia and 250,000 for Austria-Hungary. A great cost was paid by the civilian population, who were distrusted by both Russia and Austria-Hungary and often became victims of harsh reprisals for opposition real or imagined.

M2H co-founder Matt Hergaarden said: “We’re pleased to release a free new battlefield for all Tannenberg players today! The Ukraine map is inspired by a key section of the Eastern Front which saw heavy fighting during the Brusilov Offensive, Kerensky Offensive, and major counter-attacks by the Central Powers. Our mappers did a great job turning the reference material into a playable map while keeping the authentic historical feel of the location.”

In Tannenberg, Ukraine is an open map, with good sight lines for heavy machine guns. Between the lines of trenches and barbed wire are areas of limited cover. NCO smoke barrages and the recently added smoke grenades are highly recommended when assaulting across such exposed terrain!

Watch the trailer and get a look at the trenches and gun pits of the new Ukraine map!

Tannenberg is available on Steam!

Source: Blue’s News

EA and DICE remind us that the next free trial weekend for Battlefield V is now underway on Origin. Here’s a briefing on the battle plan:

Weekend 2: Infantry-Focused Conquest
Engaging in the flag-capping rumbles of Conquest is the most classic way to experience Battlefield’s all-out war. You’ll be able to try the mode on the infantry-focused maps Operation Underground, Rotterdam, Devastation, Marita, and Arras. Complete tasks to earn a coveted weekly reward: the Trench Carbine.