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Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

The Crystalline Entity is back and stronger than ever. After the success of the updated Crystalline Cataclysm Event last year, we’re bringing those changes to the regular Crystalline Catastrophe Task Force Operation. The Crystalline Catastrophe Task Force Operation has undergone some improvements! Our goal was to provide a deeper experience when taking on the Entity. The mechanics in place had the potential to do this, but weren’t able to shine. The following are some of the bigger changes: There is now a 30 second mission briefing time before the queue begins. This allows players time to join the queue and read the briefing if necessary, before taking on the Entity. The Entity shards that it deploys are now immune to control effects, this allows the feature more room to breathe as the queue progresses. Small Shards will no longer buff the Entity’s damage for the entire queue. Instead,

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

The ship art team is pleased to present completely remodeled visuals for the Centaur-class starship, a visual variant for Starfleet’s T1 Light Cruiser and T6 Advanced Light Cruiser. These new visuals, created by ship artist Ian Richards, are a free and universal update which will replace the original model of the ship for any Light Cruiser or Advanced Light Cruiser variant. These visuals will be updated automatically. If you are using Centaur parts on your light cruiser already and notice anything odd, simply visit the ship customization screen and re-apply the Centaur template to your ship. We hope you enjoy these updated visuals! -Thomas Marrone Lead Ship &UI Artist Star Trek Online

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

We’re making some changes to the character art in STO, which you might notice in our upcoming Mirror of Discovery update. We spoke with Robert Quinn, one of the FX Artists for STO, about the details of these changes. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do for STO My name is Robert and I am one of the FX artists on STO. However, I do a bit of technical art and shader work on the side. What are the changes we’ve made to player characters for this update? Our graphics team made a new shader for soft alpha that does not use Multi-sample anti-aliasing (MSAA). MSAA is very computationally expensive and it does not work on low-end PCs or consoles. This made the Hair in STO look bad on low-end PCs or consoles. I updated all of the hair in STO to use the new soft alpha without MSAA. The result of this is that all the hair will now look the same on all platforms and will have better

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

In order to further reduce the impact of fraud and gold-seller behavior on game economies, we are refining detection systems that are currently in place in both Neverwinter and Star Trek Online. These systems identified potential problem cases and permanently bound tradeable items to the player account. For instance, if a lockbox key or a package with a collection of items was purchased, all contents of these items would also become account bound. To improve the player experience, we are implementing a change so that such binding will no longer be permanent. Instead, these items will be bound to account for a limited duration, shown by a countdown timer. After this, the items will become tradeable. If you do not see the countdown timer, the item is permanently bound to account by design. You can tell if an item has this timer in your game UI as per the images below: This update will be

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Stinger has provided a hypothetical roadmap for the future of wcdx. The program is a massive compatibility patch for Wing Commander Kilrathi Saga, but it doesn't just make the game playable on modern iterations of Windows. The patch fixes a variety of bugs and goes back and adds in features that were present in the original DOS version but broken in Windows 95. While GOG and DOSBox emulation have allowed a new generation of fans easy access to the classic WC games, wcdx is gradually shaping Kilrathi Saga into a definitive way to play. Fans of the program have asked what's next, and Stinger's response is below. Note that he's only one man, so some of the ideas below have a very long time horizon. If something on the list sounds like something you might be able to help with, let him know that you can lend a hand! You can grab the current version 2.2 here. It was recently updated to help improve

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

We've posted plenty of visual treats so far, so now here's something specifically designed to please your ears. Improbable Cadence first put together this beautiful rendition of the opening credits music back in March, but now he's actually sync'd it up with the WC1 intro (so there's a still a visual component after all).

I've always wanted to hear a more realistic rendition of the main theme, but I couldn't find anything similar to what I had in mind -- which I guess was something in between Superman and Star Wars. 30 years later, I finally got around to making it myself.

My goal was to retain as much of the original MIDI as possible and match the overall voice, while expanding the instrumentation and textures to add variety, giving each section a different feel. Based on the Roland MT-32 MIDI tracks by Dave Govett / Team Fat.

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Today

DefianceIndustries

gave fans a sneak peek at the centerpiece of his next update to the Secret Ops

Model Upgrade Pack

. His highly anticipated TCS Midway is now ready to go! There's some gorgeous shots of it in action below, but the new carrier is just the beginning. Ships across the board will start to get new emit maps for new glow effects. This update should also be followed soon by another iteration that will include the Nephilim Hydra. There's lots to look forward to! Get your hands on the latest at the CIC

Birthday Party

this Saturday!

So good news and bad news. First the bad: we ran out of time on converting the Hydra for this release - (BOOO HISSSS - I know) the upside though is that it's almost ready and could be added as a fast follow on. Now the really good news: The package is ready and being assembled so we can release it in time for the CIC's Birthday party next weekend!

Quote from EVERSPACE News

We've just released a new update which comes with a new player ship! Here is the complete list of changes:

New Features

• Added new player ship: Colonial Scout
• Added difficulty selection before each run (Easy/Normal/Hard)
• Added a few codex entries
• Added chance of finding enhanced weapons (weapons with random stat bonuses)
• Added new enemy: Okkar Scan Drone
• Added new consumable: Nano Injector
• Added centered crosshair option for mouse controls (drag mouse to aim, could be useful for custom joystick controls)
• Added equipment info tooltips to equipment stats screen (PC / Mac)
• Added new "large" asteroid
• Added new nebula textures
• Added new structures
• Added option to switch between Xbox and Playstation style button icons

Tweaks

• Replaced Energized Boost with Weapon Overdrive as starting device for Colonial Interceptor
• Introduced player ship class restrictions: Cloak is now only available for Colonial Scout, Weapon

Quote from EVERSPACE News

We've just uploaded a new version on Steam. Here are the patch notes. Have fun!

[Edit: Problems with the GOG update, unfortunately. Sorry about this. Should go live on Monday]

New Features

• Added energy regeneration bonus when standing still
  
• Added option to adjust FOV (PC / Mac)
  
• Added option to unlock crosshair from screen center when using gamepad
  
• Added new device: Teleporter (icon still placeholder)
  
• Added new device: Missile Defense System (icon still placeholder)
  
• Added new weapon: Coil Gun (basically what Shock Rifle II was before, icons are still placeholders)
  
• Added new perk: Bonus resources
  
• Added option to not use system mouse position in-game (PC / Mac) (thus disabling mouse acceleration and having different speeds in-game and in menus)
  
• Added mouse sensitivity option on Mac
  
• Added functionality to make screenshots with F9 (PC / Mac)
  

Tweaks

• Improved gamepad controls
  
• Improved readability of

Quote from No Man

Hello!

It’s been a year since No Man’s Sky first released, and it’s been an exciting, intense and emotional time for us at Hello Games. We have been quiet, but we have been listening intently.

Today we’re excited to announce our third update: Version 1.3 – Atlas Rises is coming to PS4 and PC soon.

This is the biggest update we’ve released to date, featuring a new central storyline and a wide array of new and improved features. Whether you’re a veteran interloper or completely new to the No Man’s Sky universe, there has never been a better time to start your journey.

Full patch notes are available here: www.nomanssky.com/atlas-rises-update, but here’s a quick run down of the main features:

• 30 hours of branching story and deeper lore
• Procedurally generated guild missions
• Much deeper interstellar trading
• Star Systems have varying wealth, conflict and economies
• Overhauled Space combat controls, weapons and AI

Quote from EVERSPACE News

We've just released a new update. Highlights include functional cockpit displays and the addition of a mysterious alien race, referred to as "The Ancients".

You can see the complete list of changes below.

We're able to offer this update on Mac as well, however with a slight delay of about 8 hours as something went wrong during build process. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Version 0.5 and 0.6 fell off the back of a gigantic space truck, if you're wondering. Kidding aside, a lot of comments indicated that version numbers were often being associated with completion percentage (though they're really just numbers to us), so we've decided to play along and go with version 0.7 - as the inclusion of the functional cockpits, the Glyphs and the Ancients are all big additions and we're fast-approaching full release.

New Features

• Added mysterious alien race, referred to as "The Ancients"
  
• Added ancient structures, which

Quote from EVERSPACE News

We've just released a new update. Highlights include enhancements that can be equipped in the hangar, derelict colonial stations, ship color customization and alternative loadouts.

See the complete list of changes below. Please note that Drone Overrides won't work in this version.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer this update on Mac due to several severe issues that popped up after migrating to Unreal Engine version 4.14. We're still working on solutions, but chances are high that we will have to wait for a new Unreal Engine version before we can release the update.

New Features

• Added enhancements that can be equipped in the hangar
  
• Added new points of interest: Derelict Colonial stations
  
• Added player ship colors: Some are unlocked from the start, more can be collected during runs
  
• Added alternative ship loadouts
  
• Replaced voice actor for protagonist
  
• Added new consumable: Distress Beacon
  
• Added new

Quote from EVERSPACE News

We've just released a new update on Steam and GOG (Mac on GOG is slightly delayed, but will hit soon). Highlights include the 3rd player ship and an overhaul of the perk system. Have fun playing!

New Features

• Added new player ship: Colonial Gunship
  
• Added new enemy: Outlaw Drone Carrier
  
• Perks overhaul: Divided into pilot perks and individual ship perks
  
• Added new perks: Trading and Diplomacy
  
• Attacking G&B can result in them reporting your attack and them being hostile in the current and next location
  
• Added two new natural hazards
  
• Added new point of interest: Freighter Wreck
  
• Added more structures
  
• Added option to set a flag for equipment to ignore it when switching to next/previous equipment
  
• Added hall of fame that keeps track of your completed runs
  
• Added backer-written logbook entries
  
• Added new planet type
  

Tweaks

• Interceptor and Gunship now have armor which reduces hull damage by 10%

Quote from Elite Dangerous Galnet News-Bot

Three recently detected energy signatures have been confirmed to be of a similar nature.

The engineer Ram Tah made a statement to the media:

"As part of my research, I regularly review data from surveillance satellites and ships that have picked up atypical signals. Although most turn out to be of no consequence, on this occasion I have identified three energy signatures that I believe warrant further investigation."

"The signals originate from the NGC 2451A sector, the IC 2391 sector and the Synuefe EN-H region. I have no further data, and at this time the signatures' meaning remains a mystery."

"I encourage any independent pilots operating in these regions to investigate. I do of course apologise if this turns out to be a pointless exercise, but in the pursuit of scientific knowledge, even the smallest opportunity must be explored."

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Dennis Mull recently came across a wonderfully nondescript "3 Title Pack" by Philips. Wing Commander games were bundled into dozens of special sets over the years. Most were sci-fi themed, but a small handful were oddball collections like this. These were all certainly... Titles, I suppose. The other two items were "The Software Toolworks World Atlas" and "Time Table of History." WC was decidedly the winner here. Although I can clearly read the product label, this was arguably a 4 Title Pack as the third game was the combo disc with Wing Commander 1 and Ultima VI bundled together. It even came with Claw Marks and an Ultima map! Boy, that shipboard magazine got around!

Mail Day #1: Philips 3 Title Pack which was a bundle with a CD-ROM in the UK. It contains amongst other things Wing Commander from Chris Roberts and Ultima VI from Richard Garriott

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

There's very exciting news in the Crusader community today. Crusader was another Origin series that was played as a top down isometric shooter. There were only two main games released, but they've now found and archived a version that may have been a precursor to an unreleased sequel - or perhaps an unreleased console port! You can download a copy for yourself and stay up to date with all of the latest Crusader news at EchoSector.com.

Crusader 2 PSX Pre-Pre Alpha recovered and released

It’s a wonderful day for Crusader history, as I am proud to announce the recovery and preservation of a pre-pre-alpha build of Crusader 2 for the Sony Playstation. It has been uploaded online for all to enjoy.

Following the departure of Tony Zurovec from Origin Systems in late 1996, there was a bit of a scramble to keep Crusader going as both No Remorse and No Regret were financial successes for the company. You can

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

Here's an interesting one in need of a followup: a COMPUTE! article from December 1990 saying that Origin is working on a Wing Commander port for the CDTV. That's not on my Wing Commander 1946 list!

The CDTV was a very early multimedia-era console aimed at the same 'replacement for the VCR' dream later chased by the 3DO. I've never used one myself!

The CDTV's followup was the Amiga CD32, which DID have a Wing Commander port. But that wouldn't have been the same project, the later Amiga efforts were all licensed projects handled by Mindscape.

Quote from Wing Commander News-Bot

My brother recently sent me a pretty fascinating question: is there a Wing Commander TCTG card in Starship Troopers (1997). He included an image where you can see cards stick to the wall to the left of the viewscreen in the camp barracks.

It does, indeed, look very similar to a Wing Commander card! Compare it, for instance, to this Hellcat V. Did the art department maybe take one and replace the fighter with a Heinlein-era rocket?

That's not the craziest connection to make, either. Troopers' lead, Casper Van Dien, was in fact good friends with Wing Commander's Mark Hamill and his family. That's why he had a cameo in the Wing Commander IV intro! Confed Redshirt #3:

The timeline works out, too. The Wing Commander TCTG was developed by a company called Mag Force 7 and released in August 1995. It's based mostly on WC3. Meanwhile, Starship Troopers' principal shoot was over the summer in 1996.

But it's not a

Quote from Star Trek Online News-Bot

Nenid opened her eyes, only to see the worried face of Centurion D’mev staring down at her. “Status report,” she said hoarsely, having taken in a lungful of smoke during the last exchange of fire. Coughing, she got to her feet with the junior officer’s assistance and took a seat in the command chair. “Preferably before the Tholians manage to find and destroy us, if you please, Centurion. “ D’mev blanched before speaking. “Commander, we are under cloak, per your orders. A Tholian fleet is massing within the Azure Nebula; it seems we encountered their vanguard during our investigation of the temporal anomalies there.” Nenid nodded as she called up tactical data to the main viewscreen. And in a moment, a mission of science becomes a mission of war, she thought silently. “Engineering,” she said as she activated her command channel. “What’s our situation? That volley from the Tholians

Quote from Mass Effect News-Bot

Alongside the fantasy likes of Dragon Age, the Mass Effect trilogy is arguably the most popular BioWare has released, the fandom even having a dedicated day to express their love of the space opera RPG. Apparent by an array of intricate cosplay and endless fan art, the collective Mass Effect community is still going strong in the face of the series’ extended, but inevitably-ending hiatus. However, until those low-key plans come to fruition, fans have long-expressed hope of a proper Mass Effect trilogy remaster that might finally send the epic saga into the modern-day or even the next-generation of gaming.

While actual remasters still remain to be seen, it appears a team of modders has already beaten BioWare to the punch, designing fully-realized visual upgrades for the original three Mass Effect games. A duo of mods called ‘A Lot of Textures’ (ALOT) and ‘A Lot Of Videos’ (ALOV) each feature the