microsoft-flight-simulator-2020Source: TechPowerUp!

Microsoft has been preparing its Flight Simulator game, with photo-realistic graphics and realistic flying experience. Today, we got an update on game progress and when it will become available. Already up for pre-order, the Flight Simulator will come in three different versions. While all editions feature dozens of planes and over 37,000 airports, the difference is in the number of detailed airplanes and airports. For example, the standard edition comes with all 37,000 airports, but only 30 of them are super-detailed. In standard edition, there are also just 20 planes that are super-detailed. When paying for a deluxe edition, you get 25 planes and 35 detailed airports. The premium deluxe edition features 30 planes and 40 airports. The standard edition costs $59.99, deluxe edition costs $89.99, and the premium deluxe one costs $119.99. You can pre-order the game here while waiting for August 18th launch.

Update 1.10 brings a new equipment system, Polish medium reinforcements and the return of a fan-favorite map to the game

August marks the 10th anniversary of World of Tanks so it’s only fitting that this month’s update is a cause for celebration: it’s the biggest one of the year. Update 1.10 will introduce a new system for equipment and 6 new Polish medium tanks, while also marking the return of Pearl River.

Allowing players to increase their vehicles’ characteristics and performance when installed, equipment in World of Tanks is being completely overhauled with the introduction of new pieces and revised bonuses for existing ones in Update 1.10. By changing the core mechanics, players will now have more freedom and choice when it comes to their loadouts. Additionally, the new pieces will diversify the gameplay, while also leading the way for new and non-standard battle tactics. And for lower and medium tier vehicles, equipment has become more accessible as the credit (World of Tanks’ earnable currency) price has been decreased.

1.10 is the biggest World of Tanks update since 1.0 released in 2018,” states Max Chuvalov, Publishing Director, World of Tanks. “The biggest part of it is the new equipment system. The current iteration has been in the game for 10 years now and was definitely in need of a revamp. Players will now be able to experiment a lot more with their loadouts thanks to the new and improved equipment items.

Additionally, this new system brings with it a brand-new feature: slot specializations. Each vehicle from Tier VI onwards will have one of these slots and all equipment will now be designated one of four categories: firepower, survivability, mobility and scouting. By placing certain pieces of equipment in this slot, tankers will get an extra bonus on top of the piece’s standard one.

August’s update will also see the introduction of 6 new Polish medium tanks. Researchable from the Tier IV 14TP, the new branch will stretch from Tier V to Tier X. These winged hussars are versatile with good gun depression, mobility and maneuverability. They’re able to battle on any terrain and are suited for close-to-mid-range combat. At the top of the line is the CS-63 which introduces a brand-new feature: a gas-turbine engine. Boasting both standard and rapid mode, the latter will increase the vehicle’s engine power, as well as its top speed and acceleration. However, when this mode is activated, its accuracy is significantly impacted.

Update 1.10 also features the return of Pearl River. Making its first foray into World of Tanks in HD, the Asian-inspired map has received a significant revamp since it was last seen in 2015. And finally, the in-game battle communication system has been made simpler and more informative, so tankers can concentrate more on the battle.

Watch the Update 1.10 Review: The Biggest One This Year Video HERE.

For more information about Update 1.10, CLICK HERE.

MMORPGs World of Tanks | Donster | |

order-of-battle-red-stormOrder of Battle: Red Storm, the third chapter of the Soviet DLCs trilogy, has been announced for PC and Mac.

Fight the massive battles between 1943 and 1945 and lead the Red Army to victory.

The campaign begins with the fierce tank battle near Prokhorovka during Operation Citadel, the last grand German summer offensive on the Eastern Front in mid-1943. Following the failure of Citadel the Red Army will almost always be on the offensive.

Like in the previous Soviet DLCs, Red Star and Red Steel, Red Storm includes both famous and crucial battles as well as operations that are less known or limited in scope, but still provide unique challenges. So while the Eastern Front is known mostly for large land battles, a few operations with amphibious and naval elements, like the Kerch-Eltigen landings and the liberation of Crimea, were added.

An optional scenario roughly in the middle of the campaign depicts key aspects of partisan warfare in Byelorussia – winning it offers additional benefits in Operation Bagration, the huge offensive against Army Group Center in the same region a few months later.

The ultimate goal of this campaign is the defeat of the Third Reich in the Battle of Berlin. But Red Storm does not stop there – players can opt for another battle after the fall of Berlin and take their core army to the Far East to defeat Japanese forces in the last major Soviet offensive of World War 2 in Manchuria.

Order of Battle: Red Storm is about to start its Beta. If you are willing to give us a hand in providing your feedback, you can sign up here.

newhardware-iconCheck 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 | |

il-2-sturmovik-desert-wings-tobrukGet ready to fight another battle – this time in North Africa!

IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk, the latest addition to the long-standing and critically acclaimed IL-2 Sturmovik series of Aerial Combat Simulators is set to release on August 6th at 19:00 CEST (10:00 PDT / 13:00 EDT) this year via Steam and other digital platforms. Pre-orders will be available starting on July 30th via the official IL-2 Sturmovik store with a 15% discount for those who want to opt-in first!

Get ready for another tour of duty – IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings Tobruk will let you experience the famous Desert War through the eyes of those fighting for dominance high above the battlefields of North Africa. You can fly over 40 aircraft and variants from the Royal Air Force, Luftwaffe or Regia Aeronautica. Experience combat in the legendary Spitfire, sturdy Hurricanes, stubby Martlets, and rugged Kittyhawks, or take flight in deadly Messerschmitts and Macchis.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings features a 385km x 385km North African map recreating in precise detail the strategic stronghold of Tobruk and the desert and sea which surrounds it. Included are 75+ airfields, multiple landmarks and towns, an extensive road network as well as the historical fortifications, minefields and defenses, all based on actual maps from the war. Combined with the excellent multiplayer environment that allows over 100 players and dozens of AI aircraft online simultaneously, IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings promises intense and challenging human versus human aerial battles. For the Single Player enthusiasts, the game also includes 24 Quick Missions playable with any aircraft, 7 long form Campaigns based on historical Squadron experiences, and another 14 single missions.

Watch the IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk Expansion – Announcement Trailer HERE.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings – Tobruk will be available on August 6th via Steam and other digital stores for $69.99 USD. The game requires the base game IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz Edition in order to play.

corsair-icue-nexus-companion-touch-screenBy Peter Donnell @ eTeknix

It seems like Corsair just can’t stop creating new stuff recently. They already have some truly awesome and unique peripherals thanks to their acquisitions of both SCUF Gaming and Elgato. The Steamdeck is an amazing desktop companion for gamers and streamers alike. However, now they’ve come up with yet another interface. It’s called the iCUE NEXUS, and it’s a tiny touchscreen that can sit on your desk, on the back of your keyboard and more. It’s really as simple as that! It’s not something we knew we needed, but they made it anyway, and I’m intrigued.

Read the Review Here

Hardware | Donster | |

newhardware-iconCheck 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 | |

ghost-recon-breakpointSource: Blue’s News

A new AI Teammates Trailer shows off more of the bots that are coming to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint this week. Word is: “AI Teammates are back, Ghosts. Fury, Fixit, and Vasily have got your back. Customize their look, loadout, and behavior when the free update drops July 15!” This week will also see the start of a new event called Resistance in the tactical shooter. Here’s the Resistance Trailer. as they say: “Support the rebel Outcasts and bring chaos to the Sentinels. Join the Resistance live from July 16 – July 29!” Anyone who wants will be able to check this out, as they also announce the game will be free to try next weekend starting on July 16th. Here’s more:

The addition of AI teammates to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint will offer new possibilities for solo players, who will be able to activate or deactivate them via the menu at any time, depending on whether they prefer to be backed up by their squad or play as a lone-wolf operator. Ghost Recon Breakpoint’s AI Teammates will retain gameplay features and abilities present with teammates in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Wildlands, including the ability to execute given orders, the sync shot and the possibility to get revived. Additionally, it will now be possible to fully customize their physical attributes and gear. Players will also be able to pick their AI teammates’ main weapon, affecting the way they engage enemies in the world.

Starting July 16, all players will be able to take part in the new live event: Resistance! Nomad will support the Outcasts during their counterattack on Sentinel forces and assist them in their efforts to save prisoners, attack Sentinel outposts and stop convoys looking for survivors. By completing the live event’s missions, players will have a direct impact on the presence of rebels throughout Auroa. This will create an opportunity for the Outcasts to initiate faction warfare between them and Sentinel forces, or with the Wolves. Players will unlock 14 exclusive rewards upon completing missions during the live event July 16–29. All main missions will still be available for all players after the end of the event.

microsoft-flight-simulator-2020Start preparing for take-off. Xbox Game Studios and Asobo Studio are thrilled to announce that Microsoft Flight Simulator launches on August 18, and you can pre-order on Windows 10* or pre-install with Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta) today.

We have been thrilled and humbled by the support and dedication that has fueled the Flight Sim community for the past 38 years. Since the launch of the very first Microsoft Flight Simulator in 1982, we knew it was finally the right time to develop the next-generation version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. We have the right tools, technology, partners and hardware to release the most realistic and authentic flight simulator to date. Microsoft Flight Simulator features include:

  • Vivid and Detailed Landscapes – Immerse yourself in the vast and beautiful world that is our planet with more than 1.5 billion buildings, 2 trillion trees, mountains, roads, rivers and more.
  • A Living World – Earth is vibrant and ever-changing and so is the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator which includes live traffic, real-time weather and animals.
  • Highly Detailed Aircraft – Hone your pilot skills in a variety of aircraft from light planes to commercial jets with comprehensive flight models. Every aircraft includes highly detailed and accurate cockpits with realistic instrumentation.
  • New Checklist System – From pro to beginner, scale your level from full manual to full assist with interactive and highlighted instrument guidance and checklist.
  • Dynamic Weather – The new weather engine enables users to switch on the live weather mode to experience real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain and more.
  • New Day & Night Engine – Experience flight at any time of day or year allowing for night VFR, visual flight rules, navigation.
  • Aerodynamic Modeling – A state-of-the-art physics engine with over 1,000 control surfaces per plane allows for a truly realistic experience.

Three Editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator

Explore all of this and more with any of the three editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

  • The Microsoft Flight Simulator Standard Edition ($59.99 USD) includes 20 highly detailed planes with unique flight models and 30 hand-crafted airports. The Standard Edition will be available on day one with Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta).
  • The Deluxe Edition ($89.99 USD) includes everything from Microsoft Flight Simulator’s standard edition plus five additional highly accurate planes with unique flight models and five additional handcrafted international airports.
  • The Premium Deluxe Edition ($119.99 USD) includes everything from Microsoft Flight Simulator Standard Edition plus 10 additional highly accurate planes with unique flight models and 10 additional handcrafted international airports.

In addition to its digital versions, Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available as a retail disc version at European stores via Aerosoft. For more information on these retail disc versions in Europe, please visit the Aerosoft website.

Your fleet of planes and detailed airports from whatever edition you choose are all available on launch day as well as access to the ongoing content updates that will continually evolve and expand the flight simulation platform.

far-cry-6far-cry-6-logoFar Cry 6 has been announced, revealing a Caribbean island simmering with revolutionary tension. The Far Cry franchise has always had a flair for fascinating antagonists, and Far Cry 6 will feature Emmy Award Nominee Giancarlo Esposito (“Better Call Saul,” “The Boys,” “The Mandalorian”) as President Antón Castillo, the violent leader who grips the island of Yara with an iron fist, promising a return to its former glory. With an arsenal of weapons and allies at your back, you’ll take on Castillo’s regime and fight for the future of Yara. Far Cry 6 is coming to Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Stadia, and PC (through the Epic Games Store, Uplay, and UPLAY+) on February 18, 2021.

As Dani Rojas (playable as a female or male character), you will help stoke the fires of revolution through guerrilla warfare across the island of Yara, from verdant jungles to the urban streets of the capital city, Esperanza. You’ll use a powerful array of weapons and vehicles, and build a network of allies to fight alongside you, including Fangs for Hire like Chorizo, the dangerously distracting wiener dog. As President Castillo prepares his son Diego, played by Anthony Gonzalez (“Coco”), to succeed him, you will do all you can to ensure his plans don’t come to fruition.

Watch the Far Cry 6 World Premire Trailer HERE.

Visit the Far Cry 6 Webpage HERE.