Month: April 2019

Bohemia Interactive and Vertexmacht are proud to announce today’s release of the first Arma 3 Creator DLC: Global Mobilization – Cold War Germany. This new content pack for Arma 3, which is made by third-party developer Vertexmacht and published by Bohemia Interactive, is further introduced in a trailer (watch on YouTube).

Global Mobilization – Cold War Germany takes Arma back to the 1980s, and deploys players to northern Germany. Besides a massive terrain, the DLC features tons of new vehicles, weapons, clothing and gear, plus a singleplayer campaign and a range of multiplayer scenarios. Its developer, Vertexmacht, consists of a two-man team with extensive experience in both professional game development and military service, as well as a longstanding history of participating in the Arma modding community.

Key features of Global Mobilization – Cold War Germany DLC:

• 419 km2 “Weferlingen” terrain
• West and East Germany factions
• 42 vehicles and vehicle variants
• 21 weapons including variants
• Various infantry clothing and gear
• 10-mission singleplayer campaign
• 17 multiplayer scenarios

A more detailed product description can be found on Global Mobilization’s Steam or Bohemia Store page, where the DLC is available for purchase for 19.99 EUR / 22.99 USD / 16.99 GBP (with a 10% early bird discount this entire week).

With Creator DLC such as Global Mobilization – Cold War Germany, Bohemia Interactive aims to provide more original quality content to Arma 3 players, create an opportunity for outside talent to earn a financial reward, while also making it possible to invest more into the Arma series’ long-term future. For more information, please feel welcome to read the latest Arma 3 blog post, and be sure to visit the Creator DLC webpage, which includes answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding this new initiative.

Alongside today’s release, Bohemia Interactive announces a permanent price drop for the Arma 3 base game and previously released Arma 3 DLC packs. The Arma base game will now sell for 27.99 EUR / 29.99 USD / 23.99 GBP (previously 34.99 EUR / 39.99 USD / 29.99 GBP), while most Arma 3 DLC packs (except for Karts and Tac-Ops) have been dropped in price to 8.99 EUR / 9.99 USD / 7.49 GBP. The prices of Arma 3 editions and bundles have also been adjusted to be in line with these changes.

For more the latest news and information about Arma 3, please visit the games official website, or via the Arma 3 page on Steam.

Eugen Systems details Beta Phase 4 content for Steel Division 2, set to launch May 2

• Beta Public Access Starts: May 2
• Beta ends: May 6

New content:

• 6 Divisions: Gruppe Harteneck (New), 9th Cavalry Corps (New), 5. Panzerdivision, 2nd Guards Tank Corps, 20. Panzerdivision, 29th Tank Corps.
• Three Game Modes: Conquest, Closer Combat and Breakthrough, featuring the brand-new Defensive Structures

Three Maps:

• Slutsk (New): A large new map, perfect for 4v4 encounters! Please note that the developers are aware of performance issues with this map. They have identified the problem and are working on a solution.
• Lyakavichy (Updated)
• Orsha North (updated)

To stay up to date on the latest regarding Steel Division 2, be sure to visit the game’s official website.

Explosive New DLC Content Available Now

“Dare Devils of Destruction,” the first pack in the “Dare Devils, Demons and Danger Expansion Pass” for Just Cause 4, is available now on Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC/Steam.

Watch the Just Cause 4  “Dare Devils of Destruction” Launch Trailer HERE.

Extreme vehicular mayhem is the order of the day, as you take on a completely new gameplay experience in “Dare Devils of Destruction.” The DLC will introduce a new island, factions, and missions that will take your driving skills to the max.

“Dare Devils of Destruction” introduces a new island, three new factions, and three new vehicle based challenge modes across 15 high-octane missions.

• Survival: Speed through a gauntlet of landmines, wrecking balls, and rings of fire in this ultimate drive for survival. Destroy obstacles along the way and race toward the checkpoints to secure victory.
• Run: Drive through extreme weather and master high-speed stunts. Obliterate your rivals with a variety of weapons as you sprint to the finish line!
• Rampage: Master the art of destruction and create carnage within this explosive arena. Reduce targets and rival drivers to scrap metal and earn the high score!

Owners of the Just Cause 4 Gold Edition or expansion pass will receive 7 days early access to each DLC pack in the Just Cause 4 “Dare Devils, Demons and Danger Expansion Pass.”

For more information on the Gold Edition visit: http://justcause.com/buy-now

U.S. Navy fighter pilot Alex Vraciu downed 19 Japanese airplanes, but in the process lost three Hellcats, earning him a reputation as “Grumman’s best customer.”

By Barrett Tillman @ Aviation History Magazine

Lieutenant (j.g.) Alexander Vraciu was one frustrated fighter pilot. On June 19, 1944—the biggest day of air combat in the Pacific War—his Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat struggled to keep pace with the rest of Fighter Squadron 16. The “Fighting Airedales” had scrambled from the aircraft carrier Lexington (CV-16) in response to the second Japa­nese attack of the morning against Task Force 58, whose 15 carriers outnumbered the nine Japa­nese flattops.

Vraciu was already a double ace with 12 victories, and he was positioned to increase his score in a sky full of targets. But his Pratt & Whitney engine was stuck in low blower, depriving him of maximum speed and climb. He watched in frustration as his squadron mates pulled away to intercept incoming enemy bombers.

Read on…

New update introduces First Soviet Navy battleships in early access, new collaboration with Azur Lane and camouflage from popular mecha designer Makoto Kobayashi

Today developer and producer Wargaming has released their latest major update 0.8.3 for its popular naval combat game World of Warships, introducing the new Victory competition and the opportunity for players to get early access to the upcoming Soviet Battleship line. The update also brings lots of new content for anime fans, with the return of the collaboration with mobile game Azur Lane and the addition of a permanent camouflage for the Japanese Tier X Battleship Yamato, by legendary mecha and spaceship designer Makoto Kobayashi.

A new trailer for Soviet battleships is available HERE.

With the launch of update 0.8.3., players will be able to participate in the Victory competition by daily picking one of two teams – Glory or Honor, to fight for. For achieving good results in battle players will earn Allowance tokens that can be traded in the Armory for exclusive rewards, such as Tier VII Soviet premium cruiser Lazo, Victory camouflage or containers with a chance to unlock one of the four new Soviet battleships. The next day, the winning team will have to complete more difficult tasks, but will earn more valuable rewards as well.

The new Tier V Pyotr Velikiy, Tier VI Izmail, T VII Sinop and T VIII Vladivostok are made for daring players. Contrary to their other nations’ counterparts, these heavily armored ships are equipped with powerful caliber guns and are best used at close to medium ranges. This aggressive design will allow players to punch through the enemy lines, leading the way for their fleet and dealing massive damage to their opponents in the process.

Anime fans will also be pleased to see the return of the Azure Lane collaboration, with the addition of 2 new ships and 15 unique commanders inspired from the license’s most popular characters. Legendary mecha designer Makoto Kobayashi also makes his return in World of Warships by designing a brand new permanent camouflage for the Japanese Tier X battleship Yamato.

Yamato – one of the most iconic warships, also got a facelift. After conducting additional research, World of Warships’ engineers managed to update the ship model with even more details, meaning that Yamato now looks exactly the same as she did when she set off to her final battle.

Lastly, update 0.8.3. comes with a host of new improvements, including a new Treasury building for Clans to store resources, improved signals and camouflages installation, and much more. Further details on the update 0.8.3. are available in the latest patch notes.

For the latest game information, and to sign up for World of Warships for free, visit the games official website!

Paradox Development Studio Releases New Grand Strategy Experience

Alexander is dead, and his generals now fight over his legacy and empire. To the east, Chandragupta has established dominion over much of India. To the west, the commercial republic of Carthage and martial republic of Rome are on a collision course for control of their half of the Mediterranean. And, far from the cities of coastal empires, fierce tribes of what the Greeks call “barbarians” follow their own paths.

Get ready to dive into the epic conquests and geopolitical drama of the classical world in Imperator: Rome, a new grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studio available now for $39.99 at major online retailers.

Choose from hundreds of republics, monarchies and tribal regimes and guide your nation to eternal glory. Will you repeat history and lead Rome to empire and glory? Or will you defy the fates and unite the Hellenistic Kingdoms under one crown? Can Carthage resist destruction, or will old Cato’s demand for its total destruction be fulfilled again?

The features of Imperator: Rome include:

• Challenging but familiar classical setting: Rome does not yet dominate Italy. Carthage manages dozens of vassal city states in a naval empire. The mantle of Alexander is disputed by kings in Macedonia, Egypt, Anatolia and Persia. India bows to Chandragupta’s Mauryan might.
• Unique Government Mechanics: Kings will find they have a freer hand to do as they please than a consul in a republic, but with fewer political outlets, monarchies may breed traitors more quickly.
• Most detailed Paradox map yet: Hundreds of towns dot the map, some with fortresses or ports to emphasize their strategic importance. Each province’s population will ultimately determine its value and purpose in the empire.
• Population management: Citizens, freemen, slaves and tribal populations bring benefits to your empire, but also burdens if the influx of cheap foreign labor strains your research or food supply.
• Flexible trade system: Exchange surplus goods from far across the sea to satisfy your people or build better armies, or keep your surplus for added bonuses at home.
• Cultural Military Traditions: Different cultures will evolve their armies in different ways. Embrace the Parthian horse archer as a Persian nation, strengthen your triremes as a Punic power or trust everything to the heavy infantry as a Roman.
• Battle tactics: Choose how your general will approach the coming battle, making the most of force composition and terrain. Use your light infantry to skirmish advantage in rough ground. Gamble on a full assault in open plains.
• Manage a court of hundreds of characters: Watch and guide hundreds of characters through three centuries of history. Families will rise and fall in prominence. Some will be heroes, some will be traitors. Create new legends that will sing through time.
• And Much More: Dynamic events, scheming against rivals, beautiful art and music, barbarian migrations, inventions, religious ideas, laws, royal pretenders and other features to fill in a rich ancient mosaic.

Be a Hannibal. Be a Ptolemy. Be a Caesar. The riches and majesty of the ancient Mediterranean are yours for the taking. Seize the day!

For more game information, to purchase the game, and to view the new release trailer, visit the official Imperator: Rome webpage. Imperator: Rome is also available via Steam.

Ubisoft has announced that Fields of Elysium, the first episode of the second post-launch story arc of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, The Fate of Atlantis, is now available across all available platforms. Throughout Fields of Elysium, players will continue their odyssey in the Greek afterlife to uncover the great mysteries within the ancient realms of the gods.

Fields of Elysium introduces players to the paradise of Elysium, an otherworldly realm of luscious growth and no conflict, ruled by the goddess Persephone. As the story unfolds, players uncover its sinister secrets while trying to unlock the power of the Staff of Hermes to find a way out of Elysium. Helping Hermes, Persephone’s friend Hekate, and the human Adonis, players uncover the true nature of Elysium as it inevitably descends into civil war.

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

• Ares Bull Charge: Part of the Warrior branch of the skill tree. This ability enhancement summons a projectile that takes the form of a bull charging forward. The projectile knocks down any enemy it hits and pierces though them.
• Ares Madness: Also part of the Warrior branch of the skill tree. Ares Madness will allow players to have a new fighting set that overpowers their enemies for a short period of time.
• Might of Artemis: Part of the Hunter branch of the skill tree. Enemies, when hit by the stun, automatically take critical damage from any subsequent melee attack for the duration of the stun.
• Kronos Time Warp: Part of the Assassin branch of the skill tree. This ability will grant each head shot additional slow-down time and higher damage, which is perfect for fighting enemies.

In order to play Fields of Elysium, 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 Heir of Memories, the Lost Tales of Greece questline that is available after completing the former questline. Finally, they must have reached character Level 28 or above.
• Otherwise, players will be able to use a shortcut created specifically for those who would like to play The Fate of Atlantis and who do not fulfill all the above conditions. Thanks to this shortcut, players will enter Greece at Level 52 with preset abilities and resources enabling them to start their adventure into the afterlife with the Lost Tales of Greece questline Heir of Memories. They will also have the opportunity to choose their hero. However, unlike 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 are 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 are released 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 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.

• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Released
• ASUS Announces GeForce GTX 1650 Family of Graphics Cards
• INNO3D Announces the GeForce GTX 1650 TWIN X2 OC, GTX 1650 COMPACT Graphics Cards
• EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Series Elevates Your Gaming
• Palit Releases the Turing Architecture- GeForce GTX 1650 Series
• ZOTAC Announces the Power Sipping FHD-capable GeForce GTX 1650
• GIGABYTE Unveils GeForce GTX 1650 Series Graphics Cards
• MSI Announces New GeForce GTX 1650 Series Graphics Cards
• Colorful iGame GeForce GTX 1650 Ultra 4G Graphics Card Announced
• Thermaltake’s New 80 PLUS Platinum PSUs Have Digital RGB LED
• AMD Readying Commemorative 50th Anniversary Editions of Radeon VII, Ryzen 7 2700X
• DIYPC Releases Model C Chassis: aRGB lighting and 3 Glass Panels for $90
• HyperX Releases Predator DDR4 Memory at in 4266 MHz and 4600 MHz
• GIGABYTE Intros X470 AORUS GAMING 7 WIFI-50 For AMD’s 50th Anniversary
• Thermaltake Releases Threadripper-Specific Floe Riing RGB 360
• ADATA Launches XPG SPECTRIX D60G DDR4 Memory Module
• Intel 9th-gen Desktop Lineup is Here, Finally Fleshes Out the Coffee Lake Refresh

NVIDIA has launched worldwide its new entry level GeForce GTX 1650, giving you smooth performance on the latest games. With the GTX 1650 pricing starting at $149, the GTX 1650 is the great choice for gamers looking for a quick, easy upgrade, or those building a compact, power-efficient system able to play modern games. Like its other GeForce GTX 16-series siblings, the GTX 1650 is derived from the “Turing” architecture, but without RTX real-time raytracing hardware, such as RT cores or tensor cores. NVIDIA has not made a Founders Edition for GTX 1650. So the following reviews will be custom designs from various manufacturers. We’ve searched the web and posted the links to those reviews below.

• TOM’S HARDWARE
• TECHSPOT
• GURU3D – ZOTAC
• GURU3D – MSI
• TECHPOWERUP! – PALIT
• ETEKNIX – GIGABYTE
• TECHPOWERUP! – ASUS

Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD has released the latest in their driver suite, which brings about improved performance and support for Mortal Kombat 11 – that means gory details in full GPU-acceleration for the best possible gaming experience. Apart from that, not much to see here: there’s a fixed issue relating to AMD Link and Radeon Settings sometimes displaying incorrect parameters. The list of known issues is slightly larger, and follows after the break.

The new Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.4.3 drivers are available online at the AMD driver download page.