In a recent update to the PC version of the adventure action game Ghostwire: Tokyo, developers have made a significant change by removing Denuvo anti-piracy protection. This system was initially implemented in April 2023 during the Spider's Thread update. Interestingly, Denuvo was not part of the game at its initial release in 2022; its inclusion came only with the subsequent update.
The removal of Denuvo has led to a reduction in the game's executable file size by approximately 600 megabytes, which could impact the performance of the game on players' computers. The decision to discontinue Denuvo may be linked to the expiration of a one-year contract for its use, although official representatives from the studio have not commented on this decision, nor did they initially comment on the introduction of the protection.
This change has been recorded in the SteamDB database, where users can track updates to the status of games on Steam. The removal of Denuvo has sparked discussions within the community, as many players express dissatisfaction with the performance of games protected by this system due to its impact on load times and overall stability.
The end of 2024 will see the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Developed by Warhorse Studios, the game’s launch was inadvertently confirmed today by an IGN advertisement that prematurely showcased gameplay footage.
A presentation is scheduled for today at 21:00 CET, expected to last about 15 minutes and rumored to feature a trailer filmed in a Czech city. This upcoming reveal has been highly anticipated following last week’s announcement by Warhorse Studios about their plans to introduce a new game soon.
Nixxes Software has confirmed the system requirements and features for the upcoming PC release of Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, ensuring a seamless transition from console to PC with tailored settings for a range of hardware. Players can enjoy the game across various settings, from Very Low to Very High, depending on their system capabilities. At the 'Very Low' level, the game will run at 720P and 30 FPS, suitable for older hardware like Intel Core i3-7100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960. The 'Medium' settings offer 1080P at 60 FPS, requiring an Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 paired with an NVIDIA RTX 2060.
For those seeking higher performance, the 'High' settings enable 1440P at 60 FPS or 4K at 30 FPS on systems equipped with an Intel Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and NVIDIA RTX 3070. The pinnacle 'Very High' setting supports 4K at 60 FPS with hardware like NVIDIA RTX 4080 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT.
This PC version also introduces a PlayStation overlay feature for accessing Trophies, a Friends list, and more, enhancing the integration of PlayStation Network within the PC gaming ecosystem. Additionally, the game supports cross-play with PlayStation 4 and 5 players in the cooperative Legends mode, alongside advanced graphical enhancements such as NVIDIA DLSS 3 and compatibility with ultra-wide monitors, providing a top-tier visual experience.
As the release date for "Star Wars Outlaws" approaches on August 30th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, Ubisoft finds itself embroiled in controversy once again. The developers have decided to cut a portion of the game's content from the standard edition, making it exclusively available in the more expensive Gold and Ultimate editions. This decision has angered fans.
The mission titled "Jabba’s Gambit," where the main character undertakes a task for one of the galaxy’s most powerful criminal overlords, is only accessible to those willing to shell out at least $110 for the Gold Edition or $130 for the Ultimate Edition. The cost for this additional content is significant — players must pay at least an extra $40 compared to the standard version of the game.
Ubisoft's actions raise questions about the company's values and respect for its customers, who are forced to pay significantly more for a complete gaming experience. The exclusivity of content involving one of the most iconic characters from the "Star Wars" series demonstrates a push to maximize profits at the expense of fan loyalty.
Bethesda has announced a free update for Fallout 4, set to release on April 25th, coinciding with the premiere of the Fallout universe series. This update introduces numerous enhancements for both new and old platforms.
For the latest-generation consoles, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, Fallout 4 will become a native title with improved graphics and performance. Players can choose between "performance" and "quality" modes, which offer up to 60 frames per second and enhanced resolution. This represents a significant improvement over the existing frame rate enhancement feature on Xbox, where the game also supports 60 FPS, but now with added optimization and stability.
PC users will benefit from support for wide and ultra-wide screens, as well as updates to the Creation Kit. Additionally, the update includes quest fixes, improves stability and performance, making the game fully compatible with Steam Deck.
Owners of previous-generation consoles will also experience improvements in stability and performance, along with quest fixes and updates that enhance the overall gameplay experience.
Moreover, the update includes free items from the Creation Club, such as the new "Echoes of the Past" quest from Enclave Remnants, which adds new narrative lines and Halloween decorations, expanding the game world and offering new challenges and opportunities.
Bethesda initially planned to release this update in 2023 but decided to delay the launch to further refine it. Now that the update is ready for release, it promises to significantly enrich the gameplay and graphical execution, making Fallout 4 more appealing to both new players and long-time fans of the series
Square Enix has offered players an early glimpse at the performance of the upcoming expansion, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, by releasing a benchmark tool several months before the official launch. This move allows gamers to assess both the graphical enhancements and the new system requirements introduced with the expansion.
During the benchmark conducted on a high-end system equipped with an Intel Core i9-13900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, the results showcased a minimum frame rate of 85 FPS and an average of 156 FPS. These tests were performed at maximum graphical settings in 4K resolution, highlighting the demanding nature and quality of the new graphical improvements.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail introduces a range of graphical updates, including enhanced ground textures, more detailed foliage, and realistic interactions with grass. The update also features improved models for characters and objects, increased quality of shadows and reflections.
A key innovation is the introduction of a new anti-aliasing technology, Temporally Stable Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing (TSCMAA), developed by Intel for virtual reality applications, which is incompatible with AMD FSR and NVIDIA DLSS upscalers. These upscalers have also been updated for the expansion but offer users a "frame rate threshold" setting instead of the usual performance, balanced, and quality presets.
The release of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is scheduled for July 2nd, and thanks to the early benchmark access, players can now prepare their systems for the new requirements and fully appreciate the upcoming enhancements.
Cloud Imperium, the developer behind the ambitious space simulator Star Citizen, has released an updated list of system requirements for PCs. The project is still in the alpha stage, indicating that these requirements might change by the time version 1.0 is released. The new list reflects the gradual increase in the technological complexity of the game.
Minimum system requirements for Star Citizen:
OS: Windows 10, 64-bit
CPU: Quad Core CPU — Intel i7 or AMD Bulldozer (architecture name)
GPU: Video card with 4 GB of video memory and DirectX 11.1 support
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 100+ GB, strongly recommended to use an SSD
Recommended system requirements for Star Citizen:
OS: Windows 10, 64-bit
CPU: Quad/Eight Core CPU — Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 5
GPU: Video card with 8 GB of video memory and DirectX 12 support
RAM: 32 GB DDR4
Storage: 100+ GB SSD
Please note, the game does not support macOS or Linux, and a GPU that supports Vulkan 1.2 and a computer with AVX are required for launch. Cloud Imperium emphasizes that while the release date for Star Citizen remains uncertain, they are committed to gradually moving towards the release of version 1.0.
The game Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, developed using Unreal Engine, is poised for release on May 21. Running on the Xbox Series X, it operates at dynamic resolutions between 1296p and 1440p. However, due to the use of letterboxing, which applies horizontal black bars at the top and bottom, the actual image resolution ranges from 2304 x 964 pixels to 2560 x 1070 pixels. These settings highlight the game's demanding graphical requirements, explaining why developers chose to limit the frame rate to 30 FPS and forgo a high-performance mode.
In the context of current trends, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is not the only Unreal Engine project to compromise on resolution for visual quality. Examples include Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation 5, operating in quality mode at 1152p, and Immortals of Aveum, which achieves just 720p at 60 FPS on the same consoles. As for the Senua's Saga: Hellblade II version for Xbox Series S, it is expected to run at 720p and 30 FPS, which remains speculative until officially confirmed by Digital Foundry. Interest in such a development approach is growing as developers seek a balance between performance and graphical quality.
Donkey Crew, a small Polish indie studio renowned for its work on Mount and Blade mods and the subsequent game Last Oasis, is once again capturing the gaming community's attention. This time, they present Bellwright, a game poised to revolutionize the mix of strategy, town-building, action, survival, and RPG elements. The game's setting immerses the player in a world where they have been unjustly accused of the prince's death and now seek to uncover the truth to clear their name.
In Bellwright, the story unfolds in a world where every decision and action of the player impacts the environment and relationships with other characters. The player must delve into the past to unravel a conspiracy and prove their innocence. As the narrative progresses, players can lead a rebellion against tyrannical rule, transforming from an outcast to the leader of a revolution.
The developers promise a dynamic 25-square-kilometer world where each village and corner of the land hides its secrets and stories. Liberating villages from the clutches of hostile forces will be a major challenge for players, requiring both strategic thinking and combat skills.
Donkey Crew is focusing on optimization and gameplay enhancements following the issues faced by Last Oasis. An improved behavior system, a new food model, and a companion system with contextual commands are just some of the updates awaiting players in Bellwright. Additionally, the game will support cooperative mode, allowing players to adjust the difficulty level themselves.
After the mixed reception of Last Oasis, Donkey Crew aims to not only regain player trust but also offer a unique gaming experience where every decision and choice matters. With Bellwright, the studio seeks to reaffirm its presence in the gaming market, offering players not just a game, but a world filled with adventure, mysteries, and opportunities for heroism and strategy.
Ubisoft Massive has unveiled details for Star Wars Outlaws, noting the absence of freeform space travel between planets. Players will navigate between the orbits of accessible planets, akin to Bethesda's Starfield mechanism. Creative Director Julian Gerighty highlighted that orbits will be rich with activities, avoiding the creation of 'endless space,' and will include various points of interest.
Space in the game will offer ample activities, from combating pirates to docking at space stations. The reputation system plays a crucial role, affecting player interactions with different factions and syndicates. Good standing with entities like the Pyke Syndicate opens up unique opportunities, including jobs, merchandise, information, and gambling.
Star Wars Outlaws is set for release on August 30 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. Intel has launched a promotion, offering a free game copy with the purchase of 14th Gen Raptor Lake-S Desktop CPUs or Raptor Lake-HX laptops from select partners, including Dell Alienware, Lenovo Legion, and others.
