Author: Jack Grimshaw

NME

Coffee Stain Studios is teasing the upcoming release of update 5 for Satisfactory with a new video on cosmetic construction.

• READ MORE: How ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’’s ‘The Housebuilding Song’ was built: “It’s not a piece of Mozart, it’s corny, but it works perfectly”

The latest video from Coffee Stain details how the upcoming Update 5 will allow players to put more effort into the beauty of their factories. This includes new parts and new ways to build.

The video shared by Coffee Stain is a follow-up to a previous video that toured a fancy-looking new factory. The latest video shows the same factory but with community manager Jace Varlet talking viewers through the upcoming changes.

The most major change is the introduction of soft clearance. This is system changes the way that construction works. Previously players wouldn’t be able to build anything within the same space as another object. Now certain objects, like conveyor belts and walls, will ignore this. Players can build conveyor belts that clip through the middle of a constructor if they wish, leading to extremely space-efficient factories.

However, the system not only allows for efficiency but also for more interesting designs with certain objects having gaps that can now be used to feed a conveyor or pipe through.

Alongside the new system, several new building pieces have been introduced to Satisfactory. So far, the only ones shows have been cosmetic. The video revealed new horizontal construction beams that players can use to add support for suspended conveyor belts. Another new addition is the angled roof and wall tiles that should introduce more variety to the designs player’s come up with. Also shown are new thinner versions of the pillars.

The final new feature shown for Satisfactory’s update 5 is “zooping”. “Zooping” allows players to build certain objects in large amounts by simply dragging their view across an area. Specifically, this can only be used on foundations, ramps, walls, roofs, fences/railing, pillars, and beams.

Elsewhere, the upcoming game Spectre intends to bring Splinter Cell’s spies vs mercs back from the dead.

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THQ Nordic will be hosting its first-ever digital showcase, which will include six new game announcements, on September 17.

• READ MORE: Turtle Beach Recon Xbox Controller review: clever features that don’t always pay off

Geoff Keighley of The Game Awards will host the presentation. As reported by VGC, these announcements “will take you on a journey through time and space,” according to THQ Nordic. It will also include the “return of legendary franchises, including some for which fans have been waiting decades to get their hands on a new instalment”, and sequels to “beloved games.”

THQ Nordic came to be when Nordic Games acquired all of the leftover properties when THQ went bankrupt in 2013. The company eventually acquired the THQ trademark and rebranded as THQ Nordic. It has published numerous games over the years and has 19 development studios under its banner.

Later this month, THQ Nordic’s Darksiders III will release on the Nintendo Switch. This will include all DLC that was released for the game, and the release of Darksiders III will complete the Darksiders Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch, which has been slowly receiving ports of the franchise. Darksiders III will be available both digitally and as a physical release.

THQ Nordic’s Biomutant celebrated 1million sales last month. The game was originally released in May of this year and recovered its development costs within the first week on the market.

A report from parent company Embracer Group said that “The main revenue driver in the quarter was the release of Biomutant from our internal studio Experiment 101. So far, the game has sold more than one million copies. The full investment into development and marketing as well as the acquisition cost for Experiment 101 and the IP, was recouped within a week after launch.”

Elsewhere, The #ADayOffTwitch protest has had a significant effect on concurrent Twitch views.

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NME

Hearthstone players are unhappy with the pricing of card packs for the upcoming mercenaries mode.

• READ MORE: California sues Activision Blizzard over sexual harassment

Blizzard has revealed a new Mercenaries mode is coming to Hearthstone. However, card packs containing Diablo, Sylvanas Windrunner, and the Lich King are listed at £45 ($50 USD), which has caused an outcry on social media.

One user in r/Asmongold said, “Just when you thought Blizzard couldn’t go any lower: They create a Raid Shadow Legend clone for Hearthstone, and yes, you have to buy packs”. Many others have echoed the sentiment.

Just when you thought Blizzard couldn’t go any lower : They create a Raid Shadow Legend clone for Hearthstone, and yes, you have to buy packs ! from Asmongold

Blizzard describes mercenaries mode as a “new game mode where you collect iconic Mercenaries, assembling Parties to take down procedurally-generated Bounties. It is an entirely new way to play Hearthstone, combining RPG and roguelike elements with some of your favourite Hearthstone characters.” The mode will launch on October 12th.

The mercenaries bundles are available for pre-purchase in the Blizzard store. The packs come with a legendary mercenary, either Diablo, The Lich King, or Sylvanas, and 50 mercenaries packs. However, the Sylvanas packs come with only 30 packs at the lower price of £25.99.

The Diablo, Lich King, and Sylvanas mercenaries are also obtainable in-game without additional purchase, but how rare they will be is unknown. As the game is taking queues from Raid: Shadow Legends, it’s likely that lower quality versions of these heroes will also exist.

Mercenaries mode will use an entirely different card set to the ones players have been collecting in Hearthstone so far. As such, everyone will have to start from scratch and build an entirely separate collection of cards.

Elsewhere, Sir, You Are Being Hunted is getting a remaster next year. The Reinvented edition will include new “vast technological, UX, graphical, audio, and gameplay changes from the original.” It is expected to release in Q1 2022.

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NME

Hearthstone players are unhappy with the pricing of card packs for the upcoming mercenaries mode.

• READ MORE: California sues Activision Blizzard over sexual harassment

Blizzard has revealed a new Mercenaries mode is coming to Hearthstone. However, card packs containing Diablo, Sylvanas Windrunner, and the Lich King are listed at £45 ($50 USD), which has caused an outcry on social media.

One user in r/Asmongold said, “Just when you thought Blizzard couldn’t go any lower: They create a Raid Shadow Legend clone for Hearthstone, and yes, you have to buy packs”. Many others have echoed the sentiment.

Just when you thought Blizzard couldn’t go any lower : They create a Raid Shadow Legend clone for Hearthstone, and yes, you have to buy packs ! from Asmongold

Blizzard describes mercenaries mode as a “new game mode where you collect iconic Mercenaries, assembling Parties to take down procedurally-generated Bounties. It is an entirely new way to play Hearthstone, combining RPG and roguelike elements with some of your favourite Hearthstone characters.” The mode will launch on October 12th.

The mercenaries bundles are available for pre-purchase in the Blizzard store. The packs come with a legendary mercenary, either Diablo, The Lich King, or Sylvanas, and 50 mercenaries packs. However, the Sylvanas packs come with only 30 packs at the lower price of £25.99.

The Diablo, Lich King, and Sylvanas mercenaries are also obtainable in-game without additional purchase, but how rare they will be is unknown. As the game is taking queues from Raid: Shadow Legends, it’s likely that lower quality versions of these heroes will also exist.

Mercenaries mode will use an entirely different card set to the ones players have been collecting in Hearthstone so far. As such, everyone will have to start from scratch and build an entirely separate collection of cards.

Elsewhere, Sir, You Are Being Hunted is getting a remaster next year. The Reinvented edition will include new “vast technological, UX, graphical, audio, and gameplay changes from the original.” It is expected to release in Q1 2022.

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NME

Den Of Thieves has announced a new updated version of Sir, You Are Being Hunted that will be released next year.

• READ MORE: ‘Lost in Random’ is like nothing you’ve ever played before

Sir, You Are Being Hunted was a Kickstarter game originally released in 2013. The procedurally-generated British horror has players take control of a fragile human who is being hunted by tweed-wearing robots. What they see as a fun sport is the player’s desperate attempt at survival.

Sir, You Are Being Hunted: Reinvented Edition will be released in Q1 of 2022. Den Of Thieves posted some details of the remaster, saying, “Sir, You Are Being Hunted: Reinvented Edition is a completely new game with vast technological, UX, graphical, audio, and gameplay changes from the original.”

“We can’t reveal too much yet but expect new textures, new models, new shaders, a new optimized save game loading system, better world generation, and most importantly – new gameplay options. This is still the Sir that we all love, but it is undeniably a new game with new gameplay,” added Den Of Thieves.

The new game will release for the Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and Linux. On Steam, those who already own Sir, You Are Being Hunted will be able to receive a discount on the Reinvented Edition.

Alongside the announcement, Den Of Thieves also released patch 1.5 for the original Sir, You Are Being Hunted. The patch focuses on fixing the multiplayer component. The game originally shipped without multiplayer, but the feature was added in 2014. Unfortunately, it didn’t work very well and required a full rewrite of the server browser system.

The changes should make it easier to find a multiplayer game, even if the official servers crash. However, many singleplayer improvements will not be present in multiplayer as they operate from two separate codebases and would require further work.

Elsewhere, Beyond A Steel Sky will be coming to consoles later this year after it released on PC in 2020.

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NME

Epic Games continue their weekly giveaway of free games, and the next one on the list will be available on September 9.

• READ MORE: Best PC Games: 6 of the best PC games you can play in 2021

Currently, Yoku’s Island Express is available to download for free and will be up until September 9. It will then be replaced by Sheltered, which will be free until September 16.

Sheltered is a post-apocalyptic survival game where players must manage resources to keep their family alive inside of their underground shelter. However, it isn’t just food and water that must be acquired. Players will have to ensure that their families are kept comfortable and do not suffer from being trapped, which can cause problems like claustrophobia and radiation.

Sheltered also allows players to head out into the wasteland on the surface. Here they can gather supplies or repair vehicles to get around quicker. However, they aren’t the only survivors, and not all of them are friendly. The game uses turn-based combat to deal with threats when there is no other choice but to fight.

You can also bring a pet into your shelter, and players can choose between a dog, cat, fish, snake, or horse. Players can also recruit outsiders to bring into their shelters as well who will each have unique personalities.

Sheltered is currently unavailable to purchase on the Epic Games Store, but Steam has it listed for £9.99. Sheltered 2 was announced earlier this year and will arrive on Steam on September 21.

Sheltered 2 builds on the systems introduced in Sheltered, but instead of casting the player as a family trying to get by, Sheltered 2 lets players become the leader of a faction. They will have to manage the base’s supplies, including preventing everything from starvation and dehydration to radiation poisoning.

Elsewhere, League of Legends has released a new trailer introducing Vex, a shadow based champion.

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Krafton has revealed the details of the upcoming PUBG update and survivor pass, which will launch on September 8.

• READ MORE: ‘The Big Con’ review: a refreshing take on nostalgia and the art of the heist

PUBG’s 13.2 patch will add several new features to the game and several tweaks to the Taego map. The survivor pass, Crazy Night, will last for eight weeks instead of the usual six and will be available on PC on September 8 and consoles on September 16.

A new weapon is coming with the patch, the P90 sub-machinegun. The weapon comes with its own unique 5.7mm ammo that fits into 50-round magazines. It also comes pre-equipped with a suppressor, dual-optic, and laser sight. The P90 will only be in care packages and is the first SMG to appear in them since PUBG’s original Tommy gun.

Also included is the new casual mode, which will allow players to warm up in a less tense environment or allow new players to learn the game with a little more peace. The casual mode is limited to three matches per day and can be played solo or with a team. PUBG players can still earn XP and rewards or complete pass missions within the casual mode. The casual mode will be limited to PUBG’s original map of Erangel.

The Taego map will also receive some updates. The map has two new lighting options that will be randomly chosen when the game starts, sunset or overcast. The map also has some clearer markings to show where the playable area is.

A new vehicle is coming to Taego in the form of the map-exclusive Porter. This small pickup truck can carry four passengers and is the first vehicle to use PUBG’s new truck system. Items can be stored in the porter’s inventory to store and distribute loot easily. However, if the porter is destroyed, then all the loot goes with it.

A new throwable item is also coming in the form of the blue zone grenade. This grenade spawns a small version of PUBG’s blue zone, which deals damage over time. The zone will shrink over time and deals damage through walls and other structures.

Elsewhere, Judge Dredd appears to be coming to Call Of Duty: Warzone, according to a recent tease from Raven Software.

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NME

Hello Games has released the latest update for No Man’s Sky, letting players become overseers of alien settlements.

• READ MORE: ‘Lake’ review: a compelling and captivating narrative tale

Named “Frontiers”, the update adds planetary settlements to the universe generation, with small groups of aliens gathering together to build small communities. These can be found in inhabited systems all across the universe.

If players earn the respect of a settlement’s citizens, they can become Overseers. Overseers are responsible for all aspects of settlers’ lives, including naming the town and choosing what to build. To keep the settlers happy, Overseers will need to commission festivals, resolve arguments, and repel attacks of Sentinels.

The patch notes say that “Settlements start off small and modest, with a sparse population and only a few buildings scattered around their town centre. Choose what to build and provide resources to construct new buildings and transform this ramshackle collection of dwellings into a flourishing town.”

Base Building should be easier in No Man’s Sky’s latest update. The menu for the base building has been overhauled to reorganise the objects into a grid system. This allows for fast access to parts and makes finding the ones players want much easier. This feature will also put more items on display and should encourage more variety in player builds.

There are also new base building parts available. From the patch notes: “Construct your own settlement-inspired bases with a huge array of new base parts. These detailed, high-definition parts are quick and easy to snap together and yet produce a huge diversity of exciting sci-fi buildings. These new structural sets of timber, stone and alloy pieces create a tremendous range of possible building shapes.”

Finally, the No Man’s Sky patch updates explosion effects. “Destruction is crunchier and more satisfying, with reworked visual effects for asteroid destruction, Exocraft crashes, crystal mining, terrain editing, and enemy explosions.”

Elsewhere, Square Enix will be hosting a showcase at the Tokyo Games Show.

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NME

PlayStation Plus members will be able to download and keep several great games next month.

• READ MORE: Tim Schafer says Tolkien’s to blame for ‘Psychonauts 2’’s nightmarish teeth doors

Hitman 2, Overcooked: All You Can Eat, and Predator: Hunting Grounds are all free for PlayStation Plus owners next month. The games will be available between September 7 and October 4. A PlayStation 5 is required for those who want to play Overcooked: All You Can Eat.

Overcooked: All You Can Eat combines all the content released for Overcooked and Overcooked 2, bundled into one great collection. All You Can Eat is also a remaster of all the original content and comes with hundreds of levels for cooperative cooking shenanigans. The game contains campaign, survival, and practice modes. It also has several accessibility options to ensure as many people as possible can play.

Predator: Hunting Grounds is an asymmetrical multiplayer shooter. A four-person fireteam will attempt to complete several objectives as they fight against AI opponents. Meanwhile, a fifth player takes control of the Predator and can hunt down the players as they attempt to complete their objectives. The Predator is mighty but can be easily outgunned by a coordinated team. A stealthy predator who knows how to pick off targets will achieve more than one that charges in.

The final game for the month is Hitman 2. Players will be able to assassinate several targets across many locations as the game received a lot of post-launch content that will all be available to play. Each level contains several unique, interesting, and sometimes funny ways to take out your targets. The story mode will lead you through each contract as you unravel the story of the Shadow Client while replaying missions unlock outfits, weapons, and gadgets to try out on your next mission.

Elsewhere, Story of Seasons is coming to PS4, Xbox, and PC as the game celebrates its 25th anniversary.

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Crystal Dynamics has released an update for Marvel’s Avengers, which nerfs Black Panther’s Nehanda costume and removes Denuvo anti-piracy software.

• READ MORE: Playing ‘Splitgate’ well feels like you’re cheating, but that’s why it’s brilliant

Marvel’s Avengers‘ latest update has removed the exploit that allows Black Panther players to deal incredibly high amounts of damage. The patch notes say, “An unintended damage buff for Black Panther tied to the Nehanda gear no longer occurs. Yes, we’ve seen the videos.”

The buff in question would stack to such huge amounts that some players have shared videos of them taking down multiplayer bosses in moments while playing solo. The buff was never intended and has now been removed, so Black Panther should now be at a more reasonable power level.

This patch also removes Denuvo anti-piracy software from Marvel’s Avengers. The software is intended to stop cracked versions of the game from being used. However, Denuvo is often blamed for reducing performance and causing frame rate issues. This was exacerbated when Resident Evil Village pirates showed footage of a cracked copy that did not have any of the issues present in the game’s PC version. Denuvo was removed shortly afterwards.

The patch notes also detail several other important changes and fixes. These include better synchronisation of subtitles in The Sounds and the Fury. Gear can also be mass dismantled across tabs now. And Iron Man’s superior Armour is now priced correctly for the ongoing sale.

The patch also adds two new multiplayer mission chains that are focused on multiplayer. Rise and Shine is a daily chain where you need to complete a War Zone with at least one other player to be rewarded with Upgrade modules, XP, and Fragments. The other is Up for the Challenge, which is a weekly version with more objectives and rewards.

Elsewhere, new reports suggest that Overwatch 2 may release as soon as Q2 of 2022.

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