Alright so I am a little late on this one – it actually went live on Halloween Night – but Sony has released a massive 6GB Patch for DriveClub. Adding 15 brand new tracks that were formally exclusive to DriveClub VR this update gives players even more content to play in Sony’s two year old racing title.
Sony’s would be marquee racing franchise didn’t do as well as the publisher had expected – after multiple delays, a troubled PlayStation Plus edition and the eventual closure of developer Evolution Studios there is a good chance this is the final patch for DriveClub.
These new courses do sport slightly downgraded visuals – a necessity due to their inclusion in the PlayStation VR version of the game. The official changelog for this update even included a farewell message from whomever is handling the deployment of this last patch. “Thanks for your support. Thanks for your commitment. Farewell,” that message read in part.
Evolution Studio’s vision of a socially connected racer may not have panned out as expected but they delivered & supported the game up until the very literal end.
Respawn Entertainment has released a major patch for the PC version of their recently released shooter Titanfall 2. This patch brings a feature usually reserved for the console iteration of games – dynamic resolution – which will down-sample and scale the game’s resolution in-order to maintain a 60 frames per second cap while playing depending on the load placed upon the system. In order to take advantage of this feature pilots must have TSAA enabled under their video settings, in their official blog post Respawn noted this should help players who either are using lower spec’d machines or those trying to push the game @ 4K.
Other changes outlined in the patch notes include Aim Down Sight improvements for Archer and Thunderbolt while wall-running, improvements with streaming in-game assets in-engine so that players should experience less stuttering and several resolution related bugs.
Here are the complete notes:
– Stability and GPU performance improvements
– Titan weakspot highlighting respects colorblind settings
– Reduced stuttering and playback issues with voice chat
– Improved speed of allocating Private Match dedicated servers
– Adjusted Recommended settings for lower end GPUs
– Reduced hitching when changing between no antialiasing and TSAA
– Increased performance of streaming textures, reducing stalls and hitches
– Archer and Thunderbolt now go to Aim-Down-Sights when wallhanging (oops!)
– Better Network chatroom moderation tools
– Fixed various grapple gameplay issues
– Fixed Kraber shots going through Bubble Shield
– Fixed certain combinations of weapon mods and menu selection resulting in no weapon model showing in customization menus
– Fixed spawning halfway underground after playing third person animations in Kill Replay
– Fixed tracker lock-on HUD elements not reliably showing up during Kill Replay
– Fixed Titan executions not triggering reliably
– Fixed mantling up stairs
– Fixed incorrect aspect ratio when switching from fullscreen 1920×1080 to windowed 1600×900
– Fixed some rare hardlocks and crashes
– Fixed subtitles being stretched in 21:9 ratios
– Fixed race condition when accepting Origin game invite with application closed
– Fixed some display issues in Networks lobbies
– Fixed disappearing grapple rope with TSAA enabled
– Fixed NVIDIA Surround crash
Indie rogue-like shooter Star Mazer DSP, developed by our friends at Pixel Jam & Imagos Software, is receiving a special update and contest just in time for Halloween.
A special game mode titled Boss Rush Mode challenges commanders with chosing their top pilots and guiding them to victory against 3 difficult versions of pre-exiting bosses. Those who successfully complete this challenging limited time event will have their name etched on the newly minted leaderboards and entered into a contest to be featured in the game. Boss Rush Mode will only be availably until October 31st so you’ve got aproximately 4 days to leave your mark or forever lament not being able to be featured in Star Mazer DSP.
Here are the prizes on offer for those who make it to the top of the leader boards:
Ace Pilot Grand Prize
Add a complete custom First name, Middle name and Last name to the name pool for DSP pilots!
Plus win the Official Starr Mazer T-Shirt from Fangamer
Wingman Runner Up Prize
Add a complete custom First name, Middle name and Last name to the name pool for DSP pilots!
The Top Dog Third Prize
Add a custom First name, Middle name and Last name to the name pool for DSP pilots!
Star Mazer DSP is currently available through Steam Early Access for $9.99 USD and will be playable at next week’s Day of the Devs presented by Double Fine in San Francisco CA.
Niantic the developers behind Pokemon Gohave finally issued a rather lengthy statement addressing user’s complaints after the removal of the ‘steps’ feature that allowed trainers to track nearby Pokemon, the closure of 3rd party sites like PokeVision that allowed players to see real time monster placement and the lack of availability in South America.
This particular Facebook post comes after a number of users on the r/PokemonGO subreddit gained notoriety for successfully requesting refunds for in-game purchases. Users have reported receiving partial or full refunds for every dollar spent on Pokemon Go by claiming that the most recent update, which removed the steps feature, damaged the game and does not fulfill the original vision promised by Niantic.
Here are the instructions provided to iphone users by [Insert username] from reddit to get a refund on itunes. This particular thread exploded with over 3,000+ replies – ranging from outraged, doubtful of both Nintendo & Niantic to straight up finding the lack of communication humorous.
2.Login with your Apple ID user name (typically your email address) and password.
3.Select the appropriate tab—all, music, movies, TV shows, apps, or books.
4.Find the purchase you want refunded
5.Select Open item but not functions as expected
6.Fill in the description,
Niantic’s statement probably doesn’t bring the kind of news that many trainers were expecting: The changes 3-step has helped ease load on the servers in the early days of the game, but the feature was not functioning to Niantic’s “product vision” and thus had to be removed. Their lack of communication is apparently due to the fact that Niantic’s staff are working around the clock to improve Pokemon Go and as of publication Niantic is still hiring for a dedicated community manager for Pokemon Go.
As many of you know, we recently made some changes to Pokémon GO.
– We have removed the ‘3-step’ display in order to improve upon the underlying design. The original feature, although enjoyed by many, was also confusing and did not meet our underlying product goals. We will keep you posted as we strive to improve this feature.
– We have limited access by third-party services which were interfering with our ability to maintain quality of service for our users and to bring Pokémon GO to users around the world. The large number of users has made the roll-out of Pokémon GO around the world an… interesting… challenge. And we aren’t done yet! Yes, Brazil, we want to bring the game to you (and many other countries where it is not yet available).
We have read your posts and emails and we hear the frustration from folks in places where we haven’t launched yet, and from those of you who miss these features. We want you to know that we have been working crazy hours to keep the game running as we continue to launch globally. If you haven’t heard us Tweeting much it’s because we’ve been heads down working on the game. But we’ll do our best going forward to keep you posted on what’s going on.
Be safe, be nice to your fellow trainers, and keep on exploring.
The Pokémon GO team”
What do you think about Niantic’s statement? Do you have faith they will fix Pokemon Go before the player base leaves en mass?
Roberts Space Industries has pushed Star Citizen 2.2 to the live servers for all backers to enjoy. This latest game update brings back two ships – The Sabre & the Khartu-Al Scout for purchase, changes to how collision meshes are used with character models and an assortment of bug fixes.Read More
The surprise mobile hit Fallout Shelter has been updated to version 1.4 according to a press release that Bethesda released this morning. This brand new release offers players the chance to check out a crafting system for the first time. Overseers can turn the useless junk that their vault dwellers might have laying around into useful items to help them survive. Other enhancements include new rooms like the barbershop which will allow you to customize the look of any dweller as well as new pieces of fashion and pets.
Fallout Shelter was one of the many surprises Bethesda had in store for fans at 2015’s E3 conference. The game was immediately announced and release the same day and allows players to take on the role of an overseer, building and expanding one of the universe’s many fallout shelters. The game has been among one of the most played titles in Apple’s app store and has grossed over $5.1 million dollars in microtransaction related purchases. It is available for both ios and Android.
Here are the partial patch notes that Bethesda released today:
· Turn worthless junk into useful items! Introducing… crafting!
· New Rooms! Build the new Weapon and Armor crafting rooms and use them to create your own items in game!
· Lunchboxes now contain a bonus 5th card: Junk! Trust us – it’s more useful than it sounds. Lucky wasteland explorers may also find junk on their adventures.
· Take the Overseer role to the next level. Build the new Barbershop and customize the look of any Dweller.
· Keep up with the latest fashions! Find new Outfits and Weapons straight from Fallout 4 in lunchboxes, or craft them yourself!
· Because four-legged companions bring overwhelming happiness, we’ve added new Dogs and Cats, and are introducing… Parrots! Plus, new Pet bonuses!
· Time of day is now properly reflected. Because authentic Vault simulation is our #1 goal!
Mojang has just released the latest update for the smash hit Minecraft. Version 1.9 brings a number of changes to how combat works including the addition of shields, attacking now has a cool-down and several new weapon types like tipped arrows. It’s not all fun & games in the latest addition however as new mobs & content threaten to devour would be adventurers. A brand new mob called the “Shulker” now lurks around the world of Minecraft.
Here is a small selectin of changes that V1.9 brings according to the Mohjang Blog:
Added shields
Attacking now has a “cool-down” delay, making it more important to time your attacks
You can now hold items in both hands (default quick key to swap items is ‘F’)
Swords have a special sweep attack
Axes have a special crushing blow attack
Added the elytra
New mob: Shulker
Expanded The End
Added Chorus plants
New Purpur blocks
New End Rod block
Added dragon head block
Ender Dragon can be resummoned
Added beetroot and beetroot soup (from MC:PE)
Added grass path block
Added igloos
Armor protection values have been lowered
Added tipped arrows
Added spectral arrows
Added Frost Walker enchantment and frosted ice block
Added a whole bunch of new sound effects
Added sound effect subtitles
Brewing Stand now requires Blaze Powder to activate
Added skeleton riders
We believe we’ve fixed MC-10 and a whole bunch of other issues
Removed Herobrine
Don’t forget that Minecraft creator, and indie dev turned billionaire, Markus ‘Notch’ Persson will be receiving the pioneer award at next month’s Game Developer’s Awards as part of GDC 2016 in San Francisco. The whole thing will be livestreamed on Twitch.TV so if you are unable to make it in person, you can view the next best thing over the net while waiting for a creeper to blow up your house.
Last years’ Project C.A.R.S will be receiving an update this coming March which will enable stereoscopic 3D and head-tracking support for the consumer model of the Oculus Rift. Presumably this support will be delivered via a game update and will be free to all who own the game on Windows PC.
Slightly Mad Studios has said on their forums that they are tinkering with a number of improvements for the game internally. They are currently using the 0.8 SDK + Driver Set but are waiting for the consumer focused drivers to be released by Oculus before releasing the patch to the public.
Here’s the full quote from their forums:
“We’re internally working with the post 0.8 SDK that will be released along with the headset. We have a bunch of updates and features in the works already, but due to the newer SDK only rolling out to the general public when Oculus releases the headset, the Project CARS Oculus Rift updates will also be released at that time, right when you guys will be receiving your shiny new CV1 headsets.”
It is exciting to see developers go back and add VR support to their titles post-release. It certainly helps bump up the number of titles early adaptors will be able to play on the hardware without the compromises that 3D non-native VR can bring.
Project C.A.R.S was originally released on May 7th 2015 for Windows PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Sony’s upcoming PlayStation VR headset will be supported on the PS4 version of C.A.R.S and has been demo’d at a few trade shows including TGS.
Some folks who have the development version of the Oculus Rift have already moded Project C.A.R.S to run on the hardware. Slightly Mad Studios has also been huge proponents of VR, stating that:
“Virtual reality is a perfect fit for racing games since the game world literally comes rushing towards you from the distance and the increased sense of depth and speed that stereoscopic vision affords you makes this incredibly real and tangible. So when you’re racing you get a much better perception of distances and position and you feel far more enveloped by that world rather than just looking through a window at it.”
The developers behind the popular open source GameCube/Wii emulator Dolphin have released a progress report as they head towards the release of version 5.0. They have instituted what is known as a “feature freeze” – meaning that no new features will be added to the emulator until the next major revision and only bug fixes will be released to the public until version 5.0 is ready to roll.
In an exhaustive blog post written by MaJor and JMC47 technical details surrounding the changes in the latest version of Dolphin. If you want a more technical breakdown of what has changed make sure to check it out.
Here are some of the more major changes:
Added Support For “TR” Model Wiimotes
Basically because of limitations with the Windows implementation of the Windows Bluetooth stack developers were unable to add support for the Wii Motion+ and newer Wii remotes. Players were forced to use the original model of Wiimote that was discontinued back in 2012 until now. Thanks to one single contributor Dolphin now supports the latest generation of Wii remotes.
Changes To Mario Kart Lensflare
Lensflare in both Mario: Kart Double Dash and Mario Kart Wii resulted in odd bugs like a blinding level of lens flare or the absence of a HUD.
Dinosaur tamers and hunters beware because tis the season for Winter to come to the world of Ark: Survival Evolved. The latest update dropped on Christmas Eve and transformers the game world into a winter paradise while adding holiday event items, new challenges and special presents from Santa Clause stand in – Raptor Clause!
If you want to give your in-game house some holiday flair here are a few example of the limited time items that are available: Holiday Lights, Decorative Trees, Wreaths, Stockings and Snowmen.
To mark the end of 2015 the developers over at Studio Wild Card have announced that their close-out event for the Survival of the Fittest Tournament will be a 100 player vs 100 player epic elimination tournament featuring players from past rounds. The winning team will be able to donate $10,000 to a charity of their choice and the whole thing will be broadcast on Twitch.TV on December 29th at 9 AM PST.
If you haven’t played Ark: Survival Evolved the game is currently 40% – $17.99 USD for Windows PC. A version for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (with PlayStation VR Support) is expected to be released sometime after June 2016.
Just in time for the Christmas holidays Nintendo Europe has unveiled a brand new update for Super Mario Maker that brings three brand new costumes to the level building title.
If you boot up Super Mario Maker on Christmas Day you can score yourself a pretty sweet costume featuring everyone’s favorite adventuring fungus, Captain Toad. All you have to do is complete a special event course to unlock Mario’s little buddy.
Another set of unlockable character costumes will be made available on New Years Eve thanks to two new NES Remix themed stages. Complete this pair of stages to unlock the Excitebike and Birdo costumes respectively.
We don’t know if these special events will make their way outside of Europe – perhaps its best that you boot-up your Wii U on Christmas Day just to make sure. Last week Japanese players were given the chance to earn a pair of currently region exclusive EarthBound costumes – Mr. Saturn and Master Belch.
Here are Nintendo of Europe’s original tweets announcing the costumes:
The latest hero to enter the Nexus is Lunarathe deer.. Dryad centaur Assassin that hails from the Warcraft universe. Her agile abilities allow you to poison your foes and extend the duration of this damage if you are quick enough. Likewise her ultimate abilities also allow her to literally leap over enemies, slowing them down, or allow her to unleash a damaging storm of vines at will.
Blizzard has released a spotlight video giving players a rundown of all of the abilities that this new hero has to offer alongside some counter strategies for those who are bound to face her.
She is currently priced at 15,000 Gold – so if you’ve been doing your dailies perhaps you can afford her – or $4.99 USD thanks to the end of year extended Black Friday Sale.
[youtube id=”4OqrfLfaOnc”]
Abilities
Natures Toxin (Passive) – Auto attacks poison enemies dealing 33 DMG + level modifier. Each additional attack increases amount of time poison lasts.
Noxious Blossom (Bound to Q) – After 0.5 Sec causes an explosion that deals 166 DMG + level modifier
Crippling Spores (Bound to W) – Enemies currently afflicted by Natures Toxin have toxin duration increased by 3 sec + slowed by 40%.
WISP (Bound to E) – Spawns a Wisp to scout for you, lasts 45 seconds.
Ultimate Abilities
Thornwood Vine (Bound to R) – Sends forth a vine dealing 170 points of DMG + level modifier. Can have up to 3 charges.
Leaping Strike (Bound to R) – Leap over an enemy slowing them by 80% and dealing 255 DMG + level modifier. Can have up to 2 charges.
I’m sure of one thing – that the Battlefield community certainly is passionate about one of their favorite games, Battlefield 4. Developers at DICE LA have been working with the community for the past six months on a brand new map called Operation Outbreak which has now been released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC for free!
How did the developers work with the community? By collecting feedback through various community forums, official polls, social media and other outlets to help shape every aspect of this map. Through what EA calls the Community Test Environment players were able to preview the map while in development.
The end result is the final infantry focused jungle map which EA has made the focus of a brand new trailer released through YouTube.
EA’s plant based third person shooter Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare received a huge update today with the release of the free Legends of the Lawn DLC. Sporting a brand new game mode, new character variations and 200 new customization options this latest batch of DLC might just bring players sprouting back to the battlefield.. errr lawn.
The Taco Bandits game mode is a variation on Capture the Flag where the Zombies team must steal the titular taco from Crazy Dave’s taco stand… and bring it back to a UFO. Okay, that is a little more off the wall than I was expecting to be honest.
The seven new character variants available with this update include – Golf Star, Chomp Thing, Jade Cactus, Alien Flower, Sanitation, Centurion and Paleontologist.
Along with the above content players on PlayStation platforms will receive all of the content from the Suburbanite update as well.
Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare was originally released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and PS3 last year and was given away for free during the 2014 PlayStation Experience convention.
A sequel Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 was announced at this past June’s E3 conference.
Have you jumped into the Arma III alpha yet? Bohemia Interactive’s latest sandbox multiplayer tactical shooter is available on the Steam Store in an unfinished state, allowing the developer to get crucial feedback before the game goes gold later this year.
The first major update to the alpha build was recently released and it includes updates to helicopter handling, a shortened respawn timer for multiplayer, a new camera option for spectator and a whole host of minor fixes.Read More
