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Just Announced Hardware for 18 April 2017

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.

Hardware | Donster | April 18, 2017 |

Why the Call of Duty World War 2 Leak Makes All the Sense

It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like Call of Duty is finally heading back to where it all began, World War II, and that makes a lot of sense.

By Nathan Lawrence @ IGN

Around this time two years ago, I predicted that Treyarch’s 2015 Call of Duty game would go back to the trenches of World War II. I even labelled that prediction as “extremely likely”. Turns out I was on the wrong side of history with that one, and while I’m happy to eat humble pie, I firmly believe that Call of Duty 2017 will jump back to where the series began, in the trenches of World War II.

Naturally, it helps that recent leaks suggest that Sledgehammer Games’ 2017 series entry will be called Call of Duty: WW2. Obviously, it’s possible that these leaked images are fake – we do, after all, live in the Photoshop age – but it’s likely they’re on point. Here’s why.

Read on…

Arma 3 Jets DLC Releases on May 16

All Arma 3 players receive aircraft carrier as free bonus content

In follow up to their latest dev diary, which discussed the planned new content for Arma 3 in 2017, Bohemia Interactive today announced the release date of the first upcoming DLC package: Arma 3 Jets. Available worldwide on May 16th 2017, the Jets DLC will enhance the combined arms experience by adding three new air-superiority jets, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), a new Showcase scenario, and more.

As is protocol with each Arma 3 DLC release, the Jets DLC will be accompanied by a free platform update that improves the game for everyone. The main highlights of this update are the ‘sensor overhaul’ to improve targeting and target detection, an upgraded fixed-wing damage model with more hitpoints and new damage effects, dynamic vehicle loadouts, and various other jets-related improvements.

In addition, as a special surprise, Bohemia Interactive is proud to reveal truly massive bonus content in the form of the CVN-83 “USS Freedom” Aircraft Carrier (watch new trailer). This nuclear-powered aircraft supercarrier, which will be available for free to everyone who owns Arma 3, serves as a naval main operating base, and can carry various aircraft and helicopters on board. In terms of in-game functionality, the ship is a static object that can be positioned across the map via the 3D Scenario Editor, but cannot be ‘driven’. The carrier supports catapult take-offs and tailhook landings, and features functional autonomous defensive weapon systems.

Arma 3 Jets DLC Key Features

F/A-181 Black Wasp II – The F/A-181 Black Wasp II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed primarily as an air-superiority fighter, but also has ground attack capabilities. Its additional external hard points enable the aircraft to carry a wide variety of weapons configurations. The Black Wasp is fitted with the required equipment for carrier operations.
To-201 Shikra – The To-201 Shikra is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed by a CSAT and Russian joint syndicate with the goal to build a highly agile and maneuverable air-superiority fighter. Similar to the F/A-181, the To-201 also has ground attack capabilities, and is able to support various weapons configurations via its conventional pylons, but also its internal weapons bay.
A-149 Gryphon – The A-149 Gryphon is a fourth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, and all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed as a multi-role platform at an affordable cost, and unlike some of the larger air-superiority jets, it can also perform well in low-altitude flight. Despite its aging platform, the A-149 has still been upgraded with the newest sensors and weapons systems.
Sentinel – The Sentinel is a fifth-generation, state of the line, twin-engine, all-weather tactical Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The Sentinel was designed primarily as a reconnaissance platform, but can also perform precision ground attacks. It typically operates from an aircraft carrier.
Showcase Fighter Jets – Take to the skies above Altis and engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat in a brand new Showcase scenario.

The Jets DLC is now available for pre-order on the Bohemia Store and Steam with a 10% pre-order discount (original price: € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99). Alternatively, if they already wish to enlist for all planned upcoming DLC, players can purchase the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2 on the Bohemia Store or Steam (€ 22.99 / $ 24.99 / £ 19.99), which saves more than 25% over purchasing the upcoming Jets, “Orange” (working title), Tac-Ops, and Tanks DLC separately.

For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Jets’ content and features, check out the official website at www.arma3.com/dlc/jets.

Arma 3 First-Person Shooters | Donster | April 14, 2017 |

Ghost Recon: Wildlands Live Challenges

Source: Blue’s News

UbiBlog has details on Title Update 3 for Ghost Recon: Wildlands, which is now available on consoles, and is coming today to the Windows edition of the shooter. This includes game stability improvements and fixes for some issues with the game. It will also introduce Live Season Challenges, and they provide this explanation of what these are about:

The Title Update also introduces Live Season Challenges – a brand new feature giving players regular access to new objectives. These Challenges will be separated into Seasons, with each lasting six weeks and featuring a specific theme and specific rewards. The first Season starts on April 18th. The update adds a new in-game menu where you can see the current Challenges, check details of how to find them, and monitor your progression.

Because the Challenges are live content, you need to be online to activate them and update your statistics – though the missions can be completed offline during the same game session.

There’ll be a total of five new missions each week, gradually allowing you to discover new pieces of Operation Kingslayer.

Three challenges playable solo (co-op is available, but your stats are counted individually)
A challenge dedicated to members of Task Force groups (Task Forces can be created or joined on the Ghost Recon Network)
A community challenge that requires the contribution of all players to reach an overall objective.

Players will receive a reward after completing each challenge, totaling three rewards per season. During a season, each challenge will be available for one week and will be updated every Wednesday at 9am UTC (that’s 10am BST) – so don’t forget to complete them before then to get the reward.

First-Person Shooters Ghost Recon: Wildlands | Donster | April 14, 2017 |

Armored Brigade Developer Interview

Source: Matrix Games

Juha Kellokoski is the main programmer and game designer of Armored Brigade. Together with his three fellow comrades Sam, Nikola and Dmitriy, they form the team developing the game.

We met Juha and we had the chance to ask him some questions about its latest work.

First off, thank you for answering these questions about upcoming game, Armored Brigade.

Matrix. Would you like to tell us what has been the driving force behind its design?

Juha Kellokoski. The starting point was to make a game I like to play. I’ve combined elements from games that I have enjoyed, including wargames and simulations, and even flavors from outside these genres. I’ve been an avid gamer since the mid-80′s. The original Steel Panthers is perhaps the greatest inspiration, if I had to name just one, but I’m sure that the players of many other PC wargame classics will feel like home when they try Armored Brigade. Also, especially in the earlier days, I did a lot of research about what the players think is missing from other games, and did my best to make sure Armored Brigade won’t be lacking in those respects.

M. When it was available for free, Armored Brigade got a strong reputation among wargamers. What is the story behind this incredible project?

J.K. Armored Brigade was actually my first game project. The initial steps were taken as early as 2004 when I decided to do something else than just modding the games of others. I considered different ideas, including a “Roguelike” game concept, but with real graphics. A bit later it evolved into making a Steel Panthers clone, with turn-based gameplay. I think the current real-time concept matured in late 2005, and later the ’87 equipment became the data set. Since then it’s been expanding and expanding in all directions. Basically, everything has been redone several times, and even now we’re ditching old stuff we know can be done better. The first freeware version was made public in March 2008. It was a very sincere effort, like “Hey, I made a game, do you want to try it?” I was fairly ignorant about the “grognard scene” and all that. I started receiving emails from the grognards, (ex-)servicemen and established publishers, saying very positive things about the game, even in its early, crude form. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very responsive those days, and even left some of the emails unanswered. Hopefully I’ve improved from that. Around the same time the discussion forum was opened, and I got feedback and help from the players, and kept developing the game. All of the current team members were “recruited” from the forum. I’m still the only programmer and the project leader. Sam is mainly responsible for the textures, Dmitriy makes the maps and additional artwork and Nikola is building the database. In 2016 I decided to work on this project full-time, to give it all the polish and chrome it deserves. For that purpose, I established my company, Veitikka Studios, and signed a contract with Matrix Games. That’s where we’re now.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Armored Brigade Strategy and Wargaming | Donster | April 14, 2017 |

Just Announced Hardware for 14 April 2017

Hardware | Donster | April 14, 2017 |

World of Tanks Team Up with Bongfish to Create New Game Mode

An all-new battle arena hits the game’s test server bringing bigger maps, larger teams, and intense action

Wargaming has revealed its partnership with Austrian developer Bongfish, who brought over a decade of experience working with well-known publishers to bear on a new game mode for World of Tanks, dubbed Frontline. From today, players can put the new mode through its paces in the World of Tanks test server, Sandbox.

What can players expect from Frontline? Epic 30v30 tank clashes across vast 9 km2 battlefields, with one team pushing the assault while the other defends their territory. Over several rounds, the action spreads deeper behind defensive lines until a winner is declared.

“Players have been asking us for larger teams, bigger maps, and new combat setups for some time,” said Milos Jerabek, World of Tanks Development Director. “Wargaming’s distributed development approach made this a reality and we partnered with Bongfish to create the new mode—all while the in-house team for World of Tanks works on the game’s key mechanics. Bongfish has a ton of expertise to make it happen under our guidance. There’s true chemistry between the both of us, and we look forward to revealing what this collaboration brings to players.”

“We’ve been working on Frontline for a while now, and are excited to finally show it to the world,” said Michael Putz, Bongfish Founder and CEO. “We’re passionate about authentic gameplay and vast open spaces, and so are World of Tanks developers. By working with them, we can channel this passion to create something one of a kind for tankers to enjoy.”

Sandbox has been an integral component in improving the game as well as fostering a conversation between the players. Frontline marks the third time the game tests the waters in Sandbox to ensure World of Tanks continues going from strength to strength.

For more information on World of Tanks, visit the games official website.

MMORPGs World of Tanks | Donster | April 12, 2017 |

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – Continuum Multiplayer Trailer Released

call-of-duty-infinite-warfare Infinity Ward and Activision have released a brand new multiplayer trailer for Continuum, the second DLC map pack for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

The four maps are:

Turista – A plush spa and resort, Turista is nestled in the middle of a giant skeleton of an ancient creature. With sniper spots scattered across a majestic, central waterfall, Turista also boasts tight interiors for fans of close-quartered combat and a three-lane design that caters to a variety of play styles
Scrap – Set in an abandoned junkyard on the Moon, Scrap features a combination of extended sightlines and tactical pathways that reward players who engage in both long and short range combat
Archive – Fast, frenetic engagements set the pace in Archive, a post-futurist art gallery where tight engagements contrast with open exterior battlegrounds in this wide three-lane style map
Excess – Perched atop a gilded penthouse in a sprawling future metropolis, Excess is a small, circular map re-imagined from the classic Modern Warfare 2 map, Rust, that retains the intense, fast-paced combat from the original

The 2-minute video shows off the varied gameplay styles that suit each map and the screenshots show off the combat of the multiplayer maps and the new zombies experience “Shaolin Shuffle.”

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare First-Person Shooters | Donster | April 12, 2017 |

Ghost Recon: Wildlands Narco Road Expansion Coming April 18th

Source: UbiBlog

New targets, new vehicles, and a new approach to taking down the cartel are all coming soon in the Narco Road expansion for Ghost Recon: Wildlands. In order to dismantle a smuggling ring led by the elusive El Invisible, you and your squad will have to infiltrate the gangs under his control and earn the respect of three new bosses. Each boss commands a gang with its own identity, including the thrill-seeking Kamikazes, the muscle car-loving Jinetes Locos, and the Santa Muerte-obsessed Death Riders.

You’ll take on more than 15 new campaign missions, as well as four new types of side missions and racing challenges, all with the goal of earning fame and followers. The more followers you acquire, the more you’ll ingratiate yourself with the gang bosses, and the closer you’ll get to your goal. Along the way, you’ll want to get comfortable with the new vehicles Narco Road is bringing to Bolivia. Muscle cars with nitro boosts, planes built for acrobatic flight, big chopper bikes, and hulking monster trucks will all be available for you to use as you please.