Source: Blue’s News

Publisher My.com and developer Obsidian Entertainment announce this weekend will be a stress test of Armored Warfare that will be open to all interested in checking out the upcoming mechanized combat game. They are updating the game to version 0.9 with a new PvP map, new PvE missions, and more, all of which are detailed in this update. The free period runs from September 24-25, and you can head over to the Armored Warfare website on the 23rd to download the game client. Here’s word:

Stress Testing is the final test phase before the Open Beta launch. Its aim is to provide the developers with feedback regarding the stability of the server system and its ability to handle a large amount of players. In order to obtain these results, the game needs as many players as possible playing at the same time.

Stress Testing will test the abilities and capacity of the server clusters, pushing them to their limits in order to accomplish the goals of the test round. Under these circumstances, players should expect the following issues: server queues, occasional latency spikes, and reduced server stability.

In addition, purchasing gold will not be possible during the Stress Test phase. Progress will however carry over from the Early Access phase for players who previously participated in the Early Access test.

Author: AkG @ Hardware Canucks

MSI has been on a roll lately and their ‘Gaming’ series has been at the forefront of a newly revived motherboard lineup. Much like GIGABYTE’s own Gaming-branded products and ASUS’ RoG brand these boards cater to gamers and overclockers alike with a unique mix of features and capabilities that were specifically chosen for their intended market. Make no mistake about it though, these boards are anything but a direct knockoff of competitors’ solutions; MSI has taken their own approach to designing motherboards they think entice some very picky customers. Is it possible to make a competent gaming grade, feature rich Skylake motherboard for under $200? MSI’s new Z170A Gaming M5 dares to ask that question.

Read The Review Here

Source: techPowerUp!

NVIDIA released its latest “Game Ready” driver. The new GeForce 355.98 WHQL comes ready for “Killing Floor 2.” This includes optimization, SLI profiles, and optimal GeForce Experience settings. Killing Floor 2 takes advantage of PhysX Flex to render “realistic” gore (blood, guts) effects in the 6-player cooperative shooter. The rest of the driver’s change-log is built on the previous R355 drivers.

You can download the new GeForce 355.98 WHQL drivers from GeForce Experience and GeForce.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.

• Arctic Announces Freezer i32 and A32 Semi-Passive CPU Coolers
• G.Skill Launches Ripjaws MX780 RGB Gaming Mouse – VIDEO
• EASARS Announces the Spotter Gaming Mouse and Hellbenter Bungee
• Mad Catz Ships the R.A.T. PROX Gaming Mouse
• EK Releases AMD Radeon R9 Nano Full-Cover Water Block
• EK Unleashes the EK-XLC Predator 240 All-In-One (AIO) Liquid Cooling Solution
• Samsung Announces 950 Pro SSD, Their First Consumer V-NAND + NVMe SSD
• XFX Preparing Custom Radeon R9 Fury
• XFX Readies a Liquid-cooled Radeon R9 Fury
• Cooltek Introduces the X5 Mid-tower Chassis
• Mad Catz Announces The R.A.T. PRO S Tournament Grade Gaming Mouse
• Mad Catz Also Announces The F.R.E.Q. TE 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
• EK Introduces CPU + VRM Monoblock for MSI Z170A Gaming M7 Motherboard
• SilentiumPC Announces the Aquarius M60W Pure Black Chassis
• Digital Storm Launches AVENTUM 3 Desktop PC

Better’ is the enemy of ‘Good Enough – Sergey Gorshkov, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union

The countdown has started! Warfare Sims, award-winning developers of Command Air/Naval Operations – the extraordinary real time wargame that changed the face of modern warfare simulations – today announce a new, stand-alone game that uses the latest version of CMANO: Command Northern Inferno!

Through 15 scenarios accurately written by Paul A. Bridge, active Royal Navy officer and Falkland’s veteran, you are cast into a fictional conflict between the Soviet Union and the West, shortly escalating to a full conventional war.

With a very detailed unit and weapon database at their direct control, you will get the chance to lead the most lethal and advanced armed forces at sea, on land and in the air!

This is great opportunity, both for newcomers and for hardened veterans of CMANO: Northern Inferno can be played as a separate game (with the possibility to upgrade it to the base game with all the available database and scenarios at any point in time). Alternatively, it can be integrated as a new set of scenarios for owners of the original Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations Game of Year Edition!

Click here for the Command: Northern Inferno teaser trailer.

Get ready for the Apocalypse! Stay tuned for further updates!Get more information about Command: Northern Inferno and Command Air/Naval Operations from their official Product pages!

Source: Blue’s News

There’s now a listing on Steam for an Air, Land & Sea Expansion Pass for Just Cause 3, the upcoming action sequel from Avalanche Studios. This is available for pre-purchase as un upgrade to the Just Cause 3 XL Edition. Here’s word:

The Air, Land and Sea Expansion Pass includes 3 incredible DLC packs and exclusive Flame Wingsuit and Parachute Skins, which no fan will want to miss!

It’s never over for Rico Rodriguez; explore Medici with 3 new game-changing explosive experiences including new action-packed missions, new enemy types, weapons, gadgets and unique vehicles that transform the Just Cause 3 world.

The 3 add on packs will become available post launch and will unlock 7 days early for all pass holders. The skins will unlock day one.

This content requires the base game Just Cause 3 in order to play.

This content requires the base game Total War: Attila on Steam in order to play

Source: Gamer’s Hell

Available now on Steam, the Empires of Sand Culture Pack brings three new playable factions to Total War: Attila: Aksum, Himyar and the Tanukhids. Part of the new Desert Kingdoms cultural group, the pack also features new campaign and horde gameplay mechanics, events, enhanced religion features, and adds over fifty unique units to the grand campaign.

Note that because of the dramatic impact religious changes had on these cultures in this period, the Empires of Sand Culture Pack includes a number of changes that increase the importance of religion including building chains, victory conditions, events, technologies and overall campaign bonuses.

Watch the Empires of Sand Culture Pack release trailer here.

Source: Blue’s News

Bethesda.net now offers a Perception trailer from Fallout 4, showing off the second element in the venerable SPECIAL system in the RPG series. They also have an article on player freedom in the game’s open world, offering a new trailer on the topic as well as a video on customization, crafting & modding, though most of this is footage was shot live back at E3. Here’s their accompanying write-up on that last topic:

From building in-game settlements via the Workshop system to creating new weapons with Bethesda Game Studios’ most advanced crafting system yet, to designing mods on both PC and console, Fallout 4 is all about customization. Yes, almost all of this is optional – but now there’s even more reason to explore the expansive wasteland in search of all kinds of handy components. “You rip apart the world, and then you can build what you want,” says Game Director Todd Howard. Watch our new video to find out why duct tape and glue might be more valuable than grenades in Fallout 4.

Order of Battle: Pacific has been updated with free special content celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain!

The scenario starts on 12 June 1940 and lasts until 20 September 1940. The map covers England and the northern French, Belgian and Dutch coasts. It accurately portrays the changing German tactics in the battle, first focusing on the RAF airfields and later switching to the strategic bombing of cities. Several event pop ups help tell the story and outline the strategic situation of the battle.

You control the men and machines of the Royal Air Force and must protect British shipping and cities to keep the British Morale up. You win the scenario by destroying the German command’s desire to fight by downing bomber wings and reaching out to disrupt their preparations for Operation Sea Lion.

AI controlled allied convoys sail from the western edge of the map along the English Channel towards ports in London. Protecting these convoys not only prevents a morale penalty, but each ship arriving at the destination also provides the player with additional resources to assist the war effort.

Secondary objectives include protecting the vital Radar chain, the destruction of Stuka bomber units harassing the Atlantic Convoys and taking out a heavy German coastal gun battery which is bombarding the area around Dover.

Get more information about Order of Battle: Pacific from its product page.

You can download the patch from here (PC) or here (Mac).

16 December 1944 – The once quiet Ardennes forest erupts with the shells of thousands artillery guns. Under the snow lie the bodies of the first American soldiers caught by a completely unexpected large-scale German offensive.

The Allies have underestimated the Reich’s ability to mobilize its resources, and now they are facing the OberkommandoWest’s charge towards the river Meuse. They race forwards, aiming to gain the banks of the Meuse before the allied air forces can react to stop the panzer march.

Who will win this race against time?

Battle of the Bulge is releasing today for Pc, Mac and iOS platforms, and is putting you in charge of the German or Allied forces during one of the toughest battle fought on the Western Front!

Directly from the product description:

“Command infantry, mechanized and armoured units in hard fights through the various phases of the offensive, taking into account the nature of the terrain and its effects on the assailants and defenders”

The game features an updated AI opponent, a new multiplayer system supporting cross platform battles, private and paired matches plus access to a new tournament system!

Grab the game now!

Do you want to see some action? Join us today on our Twitch Channel as we stream the game at 20:00 CEST / 18:00 UTC / 2:00 PM EDT!

Find out more about Battle of the Bulge and view the release trailer here.