Source: TechPowerUp!

AMD today has made available for early adopters the Crimson ReLive Edition 17.8.1 drivers. Users of other AMD graphics cards other than the newly released RX Vega 64 beware: these drivers are for exclusive use on those graphics cards.

For those early adopters who have a Vega 64 on their hands already, these drivers are for you.

You can download the Crimson ReLive Edition 17.8.1 drivers here.

The world’s most advanced graphics cards for gaming now ready to fuel smooth 4K gaming for the best PC gaming experience

AMD today announced that its Radeon™ RX Vega graphics cards are available at e-tail outlets around the world starting today, giving 4 million gamers access to the best enthusiast-class gaming experiences possible.

For gamers who already have an enthusiast-class PC and monitor and are looking to up-level their graphics capabilities with groundbreaking technology, Radeon RX Vega 64 air-cooled cards are available today priced at $499 USD SEP. Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics cards are expected to be available August 28th, priced at $399 USD SEP, representing the most affordable way to get into enthusiast-class gaming on “Vega” architecture.

For gamers who have longed to enjoy enthusiast-class gaming, Radeon Packs are also available now for a limited time in select regions, with the Radeon Black Pack featuring the Radeon RX Vega 64 air-cooled card priced at $599 USD SEP, and the Radeon Aqua Pack featuring the Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid Cooled Edition – the most powerful of the Radeon RX Vega graphics cards – priced at $699 USD SEP. Radeon Packs offer “must-have” technologies to power extraordinary enthusiast experiences: a discount of up to $200 from participating retailers on the purchase of select Radeon™ FreeSync™-capable monitors for buttery smooth frame rates, a $100 discount from participating retailers on the purchase of select Ryzen™ 7 1800X processor + X370 motherboard combos for the ultimate in multi-threaded performance, and two acclaimed games in soon-to-be-released Wolfenstein® II: The New Colossus™ and Prey®3 (an estimated $120 USD retail value) to jump right into AAA gaming.

AMD Radeon RX Vega Graphics Card Reviews:

• HARDOCP
• TOM’S HARDWARE
• TECHSPOT
• ANANDTECH
• PC PERSPECTIVE
• THE TECH REPORT
• HARDWARE CANUCKS
• LEGIT REVIEWS
• HEXUS

Fight for Freedom and Steal What You Can Through the Underbelly of Hitler’s Third Reich

Prepare to fight dirty and dictate new world disorder with RAID: World War II as Starbreeze, Lion GameLion and 505 Games today revealed release dates for the highly- anticipated shooter, starring John Cleese as the British intelligence officer Control. Coming to PC on September 26th and digital and physical retail formats of PlayStation®4 and Xbox One this October, the action-packed four-player cooperative first-person shooter is set during the terrifying time when the German war machine was tearing through Europe, and hope was in short supply.

Known for contributing to critically-acclaimed heist game PAYDAY 2, developers Lion Game Lion lead by Game Director Ilija Petrusic (Co-founder of OVERKILL Software and lead level designer of PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2) and Starbreeze Publishing bring their trademark fun and exciting cooperative gameplay, stealth mechanics and superb sound design to this thrilling period shooter. RAID’s unique character classes, hero special abilities, customizable weapons and uniforms, and real-life war-torn locations bring the surreal conflict to lifeas players fight for their freedom through sabotage, robbery, and assassination of the dastardly Nazi regime.

“The goal in RAID: World War II is simple – sabotage, assassinate and pulverize everything bearing a swastika – mess with Hitler and steal his treasures,” said Ilija Petrusic, Game Director at Lion Game Lion. “With the Nazi regime as the ultimate evil, RAID brings together four unique characters with playstyles that complement and enhance each other as they fight and steal across Europe.”

In RAID’s world-wide fight against evil, four prisoners of war are freed by an ominous secret British intelligence officer, “Mrs. White,” who needs to take down Hitler and his Third Reich once and for all. Players will utilize key game features to save Europe from the Nazi threat and get rich, including:

• Class Based Gameplay – Players choose from four different classes – Recon, Assault, Insurgent, or Demolitions – each with theirown highly developed skill tree that allows for various play styles;
• War Cries – Each character class can unleash their own powerful War Cry to buff their player or the entire team;
• Character Customisation – RAID’s four heroes represent the main combatants from the European theatre of WWII: GreatBritain, USA, Germany and the Soviet Union. Each character possesses a unique look and a customisable uniform;
• Lethal Weapon Modifications – the Second World War was infamous for arming the world with deadly and experimentalweapons that went “bang” in lethal fashion. RAID: World War II gives players access to an array of precision killing machines complete with weapons upgrades such as custom barrels, stocks, fore grips, optic sights and much more to satisfy a variety tastes;
• Operations Mode – RAID: World War II offers players the opportunity to play through extended versions of their favoritemissions by undertaking the “Operations” gameplay mode. Operations challenges players through a chained series of highlymodified raids, featuring new storylines, and added content and objectives;
• Challenge Cards – By participating and completing successful raids, players will earn Challenge Cards that allow them tocustomize the rules of a raid in a give-and-take fashion. For example, enemy ammo drops will increase, providing players withmore ammunition to hold enemies at bay; however, the damage inflicted by enemies will be greater;
• Real-World Locations – The game’s setting takes place in real-world locations across war-torn Europe. From mighty m dominating the heart of Berlin, to the idyllic bridge over the Elbe, players will travel through a war-torn Europe and bringdestruction to Nazis in every corner of Hitler’s Reich.

The Reich will get hit hard and the personal riches of the Fuhrer will be stolen on PC September 26 and on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One onTuesday, Oct. 10 in North America, and Friday, Oct. 13 in Europe, Middle East and Asia. The game’s ESRB rating is pending. For more information, visit www.raidworldwar2.com.

New humanitarian faction, van, drone, mini-campaign, and more

Previously referred to under its codename “Orange DLC”, Bohemia Interactive today revealed the next addition to its military sim-game Arma 3. Available worldwide in the beginning of September, the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC explores a different perspective on the battlefield via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, mini-campaign, and much more. Some of the basic principles of the laws of war, which are also commonly referred to as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), are further introduced in the DLC’s new reveal trailer.

The Laws of War DLC delivers new playable content, together with many new in-game assets, providing even more opportunities for various types of combat operations and roleplay in Arma 3. Its key features include:

• International Development & Aid Project (IDAP) – This new faction, IDAP, is a non-governmental organization which is specialized in rapidly responding to humanitarian disasters. The faction is composed of new IDAP-branded clothing and gear, including outfits for specialized roles such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, as well as many other tools, supplies, and other items.
• “Remnants of War” Mini-Campaign – Take on the role of IDAP explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with identifying and deactivating mines after the war in the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While you are being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you will uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro, experiencing the events from the perspective of various sides, in recollections that span multiple periods of time.
• Van – IDAP makes use of a new van, which comes in multiple variants, with over twenty custom liveries in total. Each variant caters to a specific purpose, such as cargo logistics or the transport of people. There is also an ambulance variant available.
• Utility & Demining Drone – IDAP has a new drone at its disposal to be able to quickly move cargo or supplies to a specific location. A special variant of the drone is used as part of IDAP’s demining operations.
• APERS Mine Dispenser – The APERS Mine Dispenser is an effective but controversial area denial weapon system. It is typically only used in desperate situations, and can have devastating effects even long after a conflict has ended.
• Vests, Bags, Headgear & Facewear – Various pieces of new gear are available to help you carry out your duties. This includes safety vests, messenger bags, hard hats and press helmets, ear protectors, safety goggles, and much more.
• Additional Content – The Laws of War DLC adds a variety of miscellaneous additional content, such as time trial challenges for the new van and drone, a paramedic outfit, and a training mine.

In addition, the Laws of War DLC will be supported by a major free Arma 3 platform update, adding a lot of new content and feature extensions related to the DLC’s assets and theme. This platform update is free for all owners of Arma 3. Its highlights include: refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), the ability to drop (custom) leaflets from the sky, two new Showcase scenarios (Showcase Laws of War and Faction Showcase IDAP), a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies such as food bags, water bottle packages, blankets, stretchers, and IV bags, plus decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture, extra Steam Achievements, and much more. A complete overview of the Laws of War DLC, and its supporting platform update, is available at www.arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar.

Fourth Entry in Legendary World War II RTS Series is Available Worldwide on Steam and in Europe as a Physical Retail Version

The legendary World War II Real-Time-Strategy series Sudden Strike has returned! Kalypso Media is proud to announce that Sudden Strike 4 is now available digitally worldwide on Steam, with a North American retail and PlayStation® Store release to follow on August 15, 2017. The boxed retail edition for Windows PC, Mac, Linux and PlayStation®4 is also available today across Europe. Today marks the return of a beloved PC strategy series and a groundbreaking moment for PlayStation®4. For the first time in the series’ history, Sudden Strike has received a multi-platform release, positioning the game to become the definitive strategy experience available on consoles.

Sudden Strike 4 on Steam supports Windows PC, Mac and Linux platforms, and includes the ‘Battle of Kursk’ DLC, a digital artbook and a digital soundtrack. These bonuses are also available with the physical Day One Edition for Windows PC, Mac and Linux. The PlayStation®4 Day One Edition is complete with a digital artbook and digital soundtrack. Both versions of the Sudden Strike 4 Day One Edition feature reversible cover artwork designed by Games of Thrones artist Robert Simon.

Watch the Sudden Strike 4 Release Trailer HERE.

Watch the Sudden Strike 4 General’s Handbook #6 Soviet Forces Video HERE.

Afghanistan ’11 is getting an update with many new exciting features, and it’s completely FREE!

Before we talk about it, though, we want to announce that Afghanistan ’11 is now 34% off on our site, so if you still don’t have it and you are interested (of course you are, why else would you be here otherwise?) go grab it RIGHT NOW! The discount will last for a week.

The first and probably most important new feature is the MOAB!

The MOAB is a very interesting weapon: it costs a lot in terms of PP and HM but if used correctly it can be a huge asset. It disables the Taliban and Militia caves and kills enemy units in the bomb radius. High risk – High reward!

The second new feature helps your logistics: it carries your troops and vehicles around the map in a safer and more efficient way!

With Convoys you will be able to link up to 6 vehicles and move them together around the map while having the possibility to move each of these vehicles away from the convoy whenever you want. Are you mad because enemy mines blow up your “Buffalo” every single time you move it out of the base? Are you sick of having to move each one of your 24 vehicles? This one is for you!

There are also many more features that will help to enhance your in-game experience, so let’s take a rapid look at them:

• You can now drop Emergency UN Aid on villages
• Explosions adjacent or on villages reduces HM
• Helicopters can now rank up and have higher chance of surviving RPG fire
• Added exit ambush stance to Infantry
• Added hotkeys for Load (L) and Unload (U) actions
• NATO icon colours changes after handover
• Intel from villages now appear at less predictable intervals
• There is no handover penalty if PP is negative
• Repatriating units while PP is negative returns more PP
• Added rappelling animation to SF unloading from helicopters in mountains
• Units low on rations or fuel now warn the player before ending the turn
• Units low on rations will leave ambush, observation point or sentry
• Next / Previous unit buttons will work relative to the last unit selected

You can download the MOAB Update from the Members’ Area. Check out the MOAB Update trailer HERE.

AMD has released two models of its highly anticipated, Ryzen Threadripper high-end desktop processors, AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X. Built around the new AMD x86 “Zen” core architecture, Ryzen Threadripper delivers overwhelming power, unrestrained potential, and indisputable supremacy over comparable products in the market. We have collected a number of reviews on AMD’s new Ryzen Threadripper CPU’s and you can read them via the links provided below.

• HARDOCP
• ANANDTECH
• TOM’S HARDWARE
• HARDWARE CANUCKS
• GURU3D – 1950x
• GURU3D – 1920x
• BIT-TECH
• HEXUS
• THE TECH REPORT
• HOT HARDWARE
• KITGURU

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.

• AMD Launches the Ryzen Threadripper High End Desktop Processors
• BitFenix Launches Nova TG Chassis
• G.SKILL Announces New DDR4 Specifications for AMD Ryzen Threadripper Processors
• Sapphire Announces RX Vega 64 Graphics Card Lineup
• EK Water Blocks Announces Dedicated AMD Threadripper Supremacy EVO Water Blocks
• CORSAIR Launches the Neutron NX500 NVMe PCIe AIC SSD
• Thermaltake Announces Floe Riing RGB TT Premium Edition Coolers
• Daisy-Chainable InWin Aurora RGB LED Fans Now Available
• Thermaltake’s Water 3.0 Riing RGB AIO Coolers Are Threadripper Ready
• Phanteks Launches Enthoo Pro M Special Edition Chassis
• Deepcool Captain 240 EX RGB AIO Now Available in White
• Phanteks Announces Halos Series RGB Fan Frames
• ENERMAX Launches LIQTECH TR4 AIO Liquid Cooler for AMD Threadripper
• BYKSKI Showcases First Waterblock for Ryzen Threadripper
• Fractal Design Launches New Meshify C Chassis – VIDEO

Although obsolescent even before World War II began, the Ju-87 Stuka terrorized ground troops and found a late-war niche as a tank-buster.

By Stephan Wilkinson @ Historynet.com

Never has a warplane so obsolete, vulnerable and technologically basic wrought so much damage to its enemies as did the Junkers Ju-87 Stuka. Even as Germany invaded Poland and triggered World War II, its Ministry of Aviation (ministerium, or RLM) was hard at work on a replace- Reichsluftfahrtment for its dive bomber, and the early Ju-87B was intended to be the last model made. No surprise, since typically an air force begins development of the next-generation aircraft the instant the current machine goes into service. But hard as they tried, the Germans never came up with a Stuka successor, so the angular, archaic “little bomber,” as the Luftwaffe called it, was the airplane that on September 1, 1939, dropped the first bombs of the war, and on May 4, 1945, flew the final Luftwaffe ground-assault mission. The very last propaganda film made by the Luftwaffe showed Stukas attacking Soviet tanks on the outskirts of Berlin, smoke streaming from their big antitank cannons. That’s 5½ years of nonstop combat by an airplane adjudged by some to be too primitive, too slow and too vulnerable before the war even began.

Read on…

Source: Blue’s News

A new General’s Handbook trailer #4 from Sudden Strike 4 takes a look at the German forces in the upcoming World War II strategy sequel. This is hosted by producer Christian Schlütter, who is poorly mixed, so the audio is a little muddy. The game is due for release on August 11th, so they plan on quickly bringing out the other installments in the series to cover the Allied and Soviet campaigns. Here are more details:

To prepare you for the final push to the frontlines, Kalypso has released the first of three new videos in the official “General’s Handbook” developer series hosted by Sudden Strike 4 producer Christian Schlütter. The new series introduces the three main factions of Sudden Strike 4 — the German, Allied and Soviet forces. Each video is packed with exciting details from the developers, with close examinations of the various units each faction will command. You can also pick up some strategic tips ahead of launch to get ahead of the curve when you take on Sudden Strike 4’s 20+ missions over its three campaigns!

To find out more about Sudden Strike 4, and to pre-purchase, please visit the official game page on Steam.