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.

• XIGMATEK Unveil Latest Shogun G Power Supplies
• DeepCool Intros Genome II Liquid-Cooled Chassis
• ASUS ROG Swift PG278QR 27-Inch WQHD Gaming Monitor Announced
• Cougar Intros the Ultimus RGB Mechanical Keyboard
• EK Water Blocks Releases Monoblocks for Several GIGABYTE X99 Motherboards
• ASRock Intros Trio of “Apollo Lake” Motherboards
• EK Water Blocks Announces New Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut Thermal Grease 
• Thermaltake Intros its Sandia-inspired Engine 27 1U Low-Profile CPU Cooler
• SilverStone Announces the Case Storage Series CS380 Chassis
• AMD and Oculus Shatter VR Barriers With $499 CyberPowerPC VR Ready System
• LG to Release 34UC79G 144HZ IPS UltraWide Monitor

Beginning Today – All Players May Try Out Global Operations on a Public Test Server

Developer Obsidian Entertainment and global publisher My.com are proud to announce that Global Operations, the revolutionary PvP and PvE hybrid game mode in Armored Warfare, is now open for testing on a Public Test Server.

The recently announced Armored Warfare: Global Operations is a truly unique game mode for tank genre games. Being a mix of PvP and PvE, and having a set of gameplay innovations, the new mode makes PvP more spectacular and action focused – exactly what the true modern battlefield should be in the game.

Watch the new Armored Warfare: Global Operations Trailer HERE.

To test Armored Warfare: Global Operations on PTS, players should download a special Public Test Server Client and follow instructions HERE.

Please note that the Public Test Server will only become accessible on October 6 at 8 AM PDT.

The first of the new maps to be introduced in Armored Warfare: Global Operations is the open desert map called “Desert Crossing.” This map is bigger than any other map so far in Armored Warfare and features many interactive elements. Bombers flying overhead, AI-control turrets shooting at teams, and surveillance drones will change the face of warfare in the game for good. Two mercenary forces and their local allies are clashing over a massive dry dock with an aircraft carrier in “Desert Crossing.” The battles in Global Operations are time limited and feature up to 15 vs 15 player teams. Each team starts with a pool of points. Destroying Enemy or AI controlled vehicles and capturing control zones will reduce the enemies’ point count. If the team manages reduce this point score to zero, they secure victory!

Players can also capture special “Wildcard” objectives that give them the ability to call in military asset from their HQ, which will tip the balance of the battle in their favor. The first map contains the following “wildcards:”

• Static AI-controlled object firing Anti-Tank guided missiles at enemy forces.
• An unmanned aerial asset that can fly above a zone and spot the enemy teams movements with ease.
• A powerful B2 bombing run attack that flies in from off the map to wreak havoc amongst enemy lines!
• To allow resupply of ammo without needing to respawn.

These represent just what will be available during the first release. The system is flexible enough that many new “wildcards” could be created and will make the battlefields truly feel like theatres of modern war.

Armored Warfare is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online tactical military game that puts the player into the world of modern warfare. In Armored Warfare, players get a chance to try the most powerful tools of destruction invented by mankind – from modern main battle tanks to scouts and wheeled vehicles. Using modern defense systems like anti-missile protection and smoke grenades, along with various types of armor and ammunition, players can jump into fast paced battles both in PvP mode and a vast amount of PvE missions.

You can download the game for free and get more information at the official Armored Warfare website.

The fourth and final DLC map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Salvation, is available on Xbox One and PC starting today. Salvation is also available on PlayStation 4. Published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. and developed by Treyarch, Salvation delivers the thrilling climax of the Zombies Origins saga plus four exciting multiplayer maps.

Salvation features Revelations, the finale of the Origins Zombies saga. In Revelations, this final chapter of the Zombies experience, Richtofen, Dempsey, Takeo, and Nikolai – having travelled through space and time – finally discover the identity of the mysterious Doctor Monty in The House. As the heroes face-off against an ancient evil, they must hold the zombie horde back in the ultimate battle between human and undead.

Salvation also includes four new action-packed multiplayer maps set within the ancient walls of a medieval fortress, to the dusty streets of an old-west town.

• Citadel: Once home to a powerful medieval army, this ancient castle now sits broken and abandoned. Tight corners force close-quarters engagements, while the moat and drawbridge allows for unique player movement opportunities in this mid-sized map.
• Micro: What’s better than a BBQ on a hot summer day? A miniaturised war zone that takes place on a well-stocked family picnic table. Navigate this bite-size battlefield for a larger-than-life experience.
• Outlaw: Gear up for a showdown in Outlaw; a western-style re-imagining of the fan favourite map Standoff from Call of Duty: Black Ops II. This rough-and-tough medium-sized map brings classic engagements, flanking routes and strategic positions for long and medium ranged combat.
• Rupture: The Call of Duty: World at War classic Outskirts is re-imagined as a high-tech facility, designed by a futuristic society desperate to repair the Earth’s atmosphere. Take control of one of the facility’s mechs to unleash a barrage of heavy machine gun and rocket destruction.

Salvation is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC at a discounted rate via the Call of Duty: Black Ops III DLC Season Pass, which also features the three DLC Map Packs already released this year, as part of the discounted bundle.

New video featurette goes behind the scenes with renowned Killzone: Shadow Fall and Game of Thrones artist Robert Simon

They say a picture says a thousand words, and it couldn’t be more true in this case, as Kalypso Media and Kite Games proudly reveal a brand-new featurette shining a spotlight on the making of the stunning artwork for upcoming World War II RTS Sudden Strike 4, in collaboration with the extremely talented artist Robert Simon.

Having worked on hit games such as Killzone: Shadow Fall and Ryse: Son of Rome as well as the hit TV show Game of Thrones (for which in 2014 he won an Emmy for outstanding special and visual effects), Robert Simon was seen by Kalypso to be the perfect choice to create a set of evocative, propaganda-inspired oil paintings for Sudden Strike 4.

“Kalypso is well known for their attention to detail, and that’s something I’ve tried to achieve with my paintings,” says Robert, explaining the creative process behind Sudden Strike 4’s feature and cover art. “We started discussing techniques and ways to approach the whole thing, and the World War II propaganda topic came up – and this meant that initially, we started with these oil paintings and now, here we are!”

Watch ‘The Art of War’ featurette here.

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

Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio today announce that Rights of Man, the latest major expansion to Europa Universalis IV, set to release on October 11th, is now available for pre-order at the Paradox Store.

In one of the most expansive updates ever, Rights of Man introduces Great Power politics, more personality for your monarchs and a ton of other changes to religion, governments and economy. In this new video developer diary, Johan Andersson, the Creative Director of the Europa Universalis series, goes through the major changes you will see.

Like Paradox Development Studio’s other expansions, Rights of Man will be accompanied by a major free update for everyone who owns Europa Universalis IV.

Europa Universalis IV: Rights of Man will be available on 11 October 2016 for $20.

For more information, visit the official Europa Universalis IV website.

Last week we spoke of the specialization system coming with next patch, but today we’re going to talk of something different, something new.

Order of Battle: World War II will have a Import core army tool, allowing linked campaigns in which players can carry over their core armies. The idea is to link together campaigns which will form a larger mega campaign. At first it’ll be only Morning Sun linked with Rising Sun, but we plan to make use of this future as we release more campaigns (for instance, we’ll certainly link the upcoming Blitzkrieg with any future-and-yet-unannounced-but-certainly-coming campaign featuring the Wehrmacht).

How does it work? It’s quite simple. At any point during a campaign (although it’s best if you do it once the campaign has been completed) you’ll be able to select the button Export core from your campaign -> Core army screen. You can then save your Core army.

Read on…

By MAC @ Hardware Canucks

So far this year we have had the privilege of reviewing the entry-level GIGABYTE Z170-HD3, the gaming-oriented Z170X-Gaming 3, and the still gamer-focused but slightly higher-end Z170X-Gaming 5.

All of these proved to be very good motherboards in their respective niches, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that we have been looking forward to reviewing another one of GIGABYTE’s offerings. With this in mind, we are happy to present you with the Z170X-UD5 TH, which retails for about $200 USD / $265 CAD. While this model shares a lot of DNA with its Z170X-UD5 sibling, it is the cutting-edge connectivity options that really make it special. GIGABYTE’s Z170X-UD5 TH has it all; awesome overclocking headroom, a great price and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility but is that enough to differentiate this board from its countless competitors?

Read The Review Here

By Hilbert Hagedoorn @ GURU3D

We review the new In-Win 303 PC Chassis, a product series that is designed with that more compact form factor in mind, yet with nice aesthetics and yes, it has been fitted with tempered glass. And that does make this chassis look very special. Wanna have a peek? As you are going to notice, this chassis is compact in size, light-weight yet intriguing in its looks thanks to the aforementioned tempered glass, really that glass is 90% of the DNA that circulated through In Win designs as of the past year or so.

Read The Review Here

Update 9.16 marks the debut of a Swedish Premium tank, the new Paris map, and player-requested improvements

ABBA, Ingrid Bergman, Bjorn Borg, the Strv m/42-57 Alt A.2—things Sweden is known for, right? Well, maybe not that vehicle, but World of Tanks is planning to change that. The game is opening up its ranks, welcoming the first Swedish tank to the game in its latest update, with 19 more on their way later in the year. This Tier VI vehicle is the first Premium medium tank of this tier with a drum-type autoloader and is equipped with the well-known turret from the French AMX-13 light tank series.

“We already announced the new vehicle branch for further updates, and we’re happy to introduce the first Swedish tank,” said Thaine Lyman, World of Tanks Product Director. “It features pretty good mobility and an oscillating turret with an autoloader, and it is well-suited for levelling up your first Swedish crew and earning some extra credits.”

Along with the first Swedish vehicle, the Paris map is saying bonjour to Random Battles. It recreates many destinations from the romantic capital of the world, sending any tanker’s heart all aflutter. Landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Seine River bank, Théâtre national de Chaillot and districts of Haussmannian buildings can all be found as you explore. Every vehicle type is set to find some intense battles, wherever they decide to strike from.

Update 9.16 also brings improvements to the sound system. You’ll find that the range of sounds for high calibers was extended and sound indication for damage received was also enhanced. So, now it’s even clearer to assess how serious the damage sustained by your tank is.

The in-game minimaps have also been updated based on player feedback, with 30 more rolling out with higher visual quality so you have a crystal clear idea of your surroundings. In addition, the in-game interface also features a range of improvements, including popular mods that will make your time on the battlefield and in the Garage much more enjoyable.

We’re always looking out for player feedback, so don’t hesitate to tell us what you think in order to make the game better.

For more information on World of Tanks Update 9.16, visit the games official website.

Rebellion and Steam are offering sharpshooters across the globe the opportunity to play Sniper Elite 3 free!

As part of Steam’s ‘Free Weekend’ promotion, you can play the thrilling third installment in the World War 2 shooter series free on PC, both in single-player and multiplayer, starting today and ending Monday, October 10th at 6PM BST (10AM PT/1PM ET).

AND, if you want to take on Sniper Elite 3′s exotic North African adventure after October 10th, buy the game and take advantage of a HUGE 80% OFF across this weekend! Other special offers include 66% OFF the Season Pass and all DLC – and 75% OFF the entire Sniper Elite Trilogy.

And of course it’s a great time to be a sharpshooter with Sniper Elite 4 hitting PC, PS4 and Xbox One on February 14th, 2017! Set to be the biggest, deepest and deadliest Sniper Elite game ever, the outstanding fourth entry will combine genre-defining ballistics with truly breathless stealth and action. Set in Italy 1943, Sniper Elite 4 will offer the largest and most diverse environments ever seen in the series.

Sniper Elite 4 is available to pre-order NOW! All pre-orders will receive the extra campaign mission TARGET: FUHRER for FREE, in which you’ll once again set sights on history’s most notorious tyrant, as well the CAMOUFLAGE RIFLES SKIN PACK. For more details and to pre-order, click here.