Learn about how TweakTown tests and reviews hardware. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. TweakTown may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners at no extra cost to you.
Stay Updated
Follow TweakTown for breaking tech news, reviews, and daily updates.
Remedy 'were pushing' for the PC version of Quantum Break
Remedy Games have been in hot water over the release of Quantum Break, which was once an Xbox One exclusive - and then announced for the PC.
The Xbox One version was promised to be running at 1080p, but has been delivered at 720p - and now we're finding out some more information on game directly from Remedy's Creative Director (and the face of Max Payne), Sam Lake.
During an interview with MCVUK, Lake said: "We were pushing for the PC version. Remedy has a strong heritage on PC and have a lot of fans on the PC side. From a developer's perspective, it's always good news to make our creations available for a potentially wider audience. That to me was what it was. I'm really happy that there's a PC version and everyone at Remedy is really happy".
Continue reading: Remedy 'were pushing' for the PC version of Quantum Break (full post)
NVIDIA reportedly ending GTX 980 Ti production, preparing for next-gen
Just as I land in San Jose to cover NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference - where we should be introduced (in detail this time) to their next-gen Pascal architecture, and hopefully a new video card or so - I read about the reported end of GM200 production.
The GM200 might not sound like much, but it's the GPU that powers the GeForce GTX 980 Ti and the Titan X. NVIDIA will reportedly no longer be supplying AIB partners with the GM200 chip, so companies like ASUS, ZOTAC and MSI will not be making anymore GeForce GTX 980 Ti video cards.
Why? Well, there are plenty of GTX 980 Tis in the wild, and with NVIDIA ramping up towards the Pascal launch, we should expect this to be a reality, as we will soon see GP104- and GP100-powered offerings in the hopefully, very near future.
Continue reading: NVIDIA reportedly ending GTX 980 Ti production, preparing for next-gen (full post)
Late Oculus Rift shipments due to 'unexpected component shortages'
Although Oculus was supposed to start shipping the first phase of Oculus Rift headsets on March 28, most pre-buyers have yet to receive any official shipping confirmations, or even payment processing. Up until now Oculus has been quiet on the matter, filling the Rift community with unease.
Now Oculus has finally broken its silence to explain why the pre-orders shipments are late, and promises to make up for it by fully refunding shipping costs on all orders made up until April 2. The Facebook-owned company sent out a batch of emails to all consumers who pre-ordered the system, saying that the shipments were delayed due to "unexpected component shortages". The email also mentions order statuses should be updated by April 12.
The VR pioneers plan to make up for this inconvenience by covering all of the shipping and handling costs on orders made up until today. Given how international shipping for the Rift tacks on at least $100 to the Rift's price tag, this is a pretty hefty bit of savings, to say the least. It's great to see Oculus not only explain what happened but make up for it and go out of their way to cushion the blow. Check a full transcript of the emails below, and if you pre-ordered a Rift, check your inbox.
Continue reading: Late Oculus Rift shipments due to 'unexpected component shortages' (full post)
First-ever Mass Effect Andromeda gameplay footage leaked
After months and months of waiting, we finally have our first in-game look at Mass Effect: Andromeda thanks to a leaked graphics presentation.
The leaked gameplay footage is part of BioWare's presentation on Mass Effect: Andromeda's technical details, and shows off a nice range of different things including jetpacks, cinematic scenes, graphical fidelity, lighting effects, and much more.
While the presentation is short and only clocks in at less than a minute, it's still a satisfying glance at actual in-game scenes and content. That jetpack looks incredibly satisfying, and I can't wait to give it a whirl when BioWare's ships the game.
Continue reading: First-ever Mass Effect Andromeda gameplay footage leaked (full post)
Doom beta lacking key PC features
The Doom closed beta is out and so PC players have weighed in how it fares port-wise. Unfortunately, not so good: user reports state the game features a 60 FPS lock, motion blur and mouse acceleration that can't be turned off, and aim assist when using the mouse if you simply plug in a controller. As well, there's no FOV slider, server browser, or pre-game lobby text chat, rebinding keys doesn't work, and multi-GPU optimization doesn't seem to be present at all.
This is just a beta build and some things will change (FOV is said to be in the final version and some say the launch command +set g_fov X works in the meantime), but regardless, it's not encouraging, particularly given how little betas tend to change for launch these days and how little time there is between now and launch (Doom releases May 13).
Continue reading: Doom beta lacking key PC features (full post)
Star Citizen goes to the future(ama), announces Food Delivery career
Despite it being April First, the time-honored day in which we trick our fellow humans into believing ridiculous tales of unimaginable and phenomenal things, Cloud Imperium Games has released a video that, while in that spirit, will likely turn into a real in-game career; Food Service Deliver.
That video is only in jest, but can you imagine the kind of attention it received and how the many people in the 'verse are now going to want that as a legitimate job or even as a secondary occupation in the game? It could be fun, a mini-game in its own right. Deliver the space pizza as fast as possible, within that 30-minute window when on a planet, and within 12 hours when delivering with that 20-parsec radius. It could even evolve into a racing event that could potentially be more entertaining than the already stimulating Murray Cup.
Or it could even evolve into an in-game series that follows the life of Fry as he tries to make sense of the 31st Century that he suddenly finds himself in, working from the ground up to create his own delivery company in the midst of a chaotic and changed world.
Continue reading: Star Citizen goes to the future(ama), announces Food Delivery career (full post)
New Action Center will sync Win10 PC, Win10 mobile, and Android
Microsoft's new Action Center UI is official and sounding more exciting than ever.
Coming not just to Windows 10 PCs but to Windows 10 Mobile, as well as Android, it will sync all devices, so dismissing a notification on your PC -- whether for a text or something else -- will also dismiss it on your phone. You can do the inverse too on Android, either the old-fashioned way or through the Cortana app -- no Windows 10 Mobile handset required.
Continue reading: New Action Center will sync Win10 PC, Win10 mobile, and Android (full post)
Tesla Model 3 will launch next year, price set at $35,000
The wait is finally over as the Tesla Model 3 has been revealed. Said to offer at least 215 miles of range and priced at a more than reasonable $35,000, the electric car should launch by the end of 2017.
Feature-wise, it comes in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, seats five adults comfortably, and includes a 15'' landscape touchscreen, autopilot hardware, front and rear trunks, and automatic safety measures. And of course, it supports Tesla's Supercharging network. As for acceleration, it can do 0-60 mph is under six seconds.
CEO Elon Musk boldly proclaimed at the reveal that the Model 3 will be one of the safest cars in the world, and that "you will not be able to buy a better car for $35,000, even with no options."
Continue reading: Tesla Model 3 will launch next year, price set at $35,000 (full post)
Escape from Tarkov video shows off intricate weapon modding ability
Weapon modding is a mechanism that helps to differentiate different MMO's and adds a level of interactivity and fun to the game. Escape from Tarkov has an incredibly deep weapon customization mechanism, one that lets you take thousands, and possibly even millions of different combinations and put it all together for a truly unique amalgamations of destructive power.
The new video that Battlestate games has released shows off just a tiny fraction of the possibilities that'll be available when it's finally available for us to dive into. From the looks of it, you'll be able to change nearly anything, from the muzzle, the barrel, stock, sites, magazines and the paint job. Check it out above, and see how it's done. If other games and their player-made economies are anything to go by, then the vast array of things that you can swap out to change your weapons might make for a very fun and lucrative way to make money in-game.
Escape from Tarkov is a hardcore story-driven MMO that combines elements of FPS' and RPG's for a unique expereince. The events take place in the Russian city of Tarkov, which has been sealed of by roadblocks and sunk into the chaos of local warfare between private military companies. Escape from Tarkov's Hazardous Environment Combat Simulator employs a number of custom system modules to create incredibly immersive gameplay and make you feel more connected to the events that are happening in the game.
Continue reading: Escape from Tarkov video shows off intricate weapon modding ability (full post)
The Final Fantasy 15 Platinum demo is extremely lacking
If it weren't for the exclusive carbuncle unlock, the new Final Fantasy 15 demo would be completely pointless.
After Square Enix revealed the new Final Fantasy 15 Platinum Demo, I was super excited to try it out. After all, the demo represents a chunk of the finalized game, mirroring the combat scheme and optimized graphics we'll see in the finished product this September. My excited quickly evaporated when I started playing the demo, which is essentially a lackluster attempt at catering to casual gamers, totally betraying the very essence of the enthralling action-packed adventure we'd seen in the trailers.
Instead of the rip-roaring mayhem and carnage, we're given a cutesy adventure that depicts Noctis' dreams. The idea sounds neat enough, but the execution was so lackadaisical and underwhelming that I earnestly wanted to quit mid-game. Luckily the demo isn't long--but isn't that a bad thing? It's a bad sign that you want the entire experience to be over as soon as possible, right?
Continue reading: The Final Fantasy 15 Platinum demo is extremely lacking (full post)
The Division's first free expansion drops April 12, adds new endgame
Ubisoft will be unleashing the first free DLC for The Division on April 12, which will hit all three platforms at once: PS4, Xbox One and PC. It'll include two announced free Incursions, endgame activities that were designed with squad play in mind, and new features such as loot trading.
The first Incursion is called "Falcon Lost", which will see Division members visiting a new location: an underground water treatment facility that acts as a stronghold for a faction called The Last Man Battalion. Ubisoft explains it as: "Falcon Lost has two difficulties: Hard mode, which is recommended for players whose gear score is equivalent to level 31; and challenge mode, which is even tougher. Also, there aren't any checkpoints in Falcon Lost; if your team goes down, you'll have to restart from the beginning. Additionally, you can replay Falcon Lost and other upcoming Incursions as many times as you want and still be rewarded with new loot".
There'll also be four new gear sets: Sentry's Call, Striker's Battle Gear, Path of the Nomad and Technician's Authority - which are designed for specific play styles, according to Ubisoft. Once you've completed a set, the new gear will unlock a new talent for your character. Your agent's abilities will also sail past the current level cap of 30, which is another nice change.
Continue reading: The Division's first free expansion drops April 12, adds new endgame (full post)
G.SKILL reveals 32GB DDR4 laptop memory clocked at 3000MHz
G.SKILL today revealed its latest high-performance memory kits aimed at the laptop and small form-factor PC crowd, bringing blazing-fast speeds and low voltage and low-latency timings to the SO-DIMM range.
G.SKILL's new Ripjaws memory kits pack up to 32GB (16GBx2) of SO-DIMM DDR4 RAM clocked at a rip-roaring 3000MHz, hitting a new maximum threshold for laptop/SFF builds. The modules only draw 1.2V as opposed to the usual 1.35V consumption for DDR4 RAM, making an ideal power-efficient memory solution for gaming laptops.
The new Ripjaws SO-DIMM RAM modules have CL-15-18-18-43 latency timings and come in 8GB, 16GB (8GBx2 or 16GBx1), and 32GB (16GBx2) configurations. The kits will be available later this month, and pricing has yet to be revealed.
Continue reading: G.SKILL reveals 32GB DDR4 laptop memory clocked at 3000MHz (full post)
More evidence of BioShock: The Collection surfaces, on ESRB this time
There had already been ruminations of a BioShock compilation coming out courtesy of game rating organizations from other parts of the world, but now the US's own ESRB has rated the BioShock: The Collection game in anticipation of its release. Even though 2K hasn't said anything about it quite yet.
The rating simply describes the upcoming compendium as "...a collection of three first-person shooters in which players assume the role of characters uncovering the mysteries behind the dystopian societies of Rapture and Columbia." Due to the "large bloods-splatter effects" and other depictions of violence therein it receives Mature rating form the ESRB to reflect the more mature way that the three games seem to depict this fantastical 1912 setting.
We heard of the impending release, or announcement, of the collection in September when it was outed on a South African site, which published a listing for it. Then some more details popped up on a Taiwanese game rating site a little later on, though we've had no mention or comment from 2K about any new collection, remastered or not, of the BioShock games. This might be April 1st, but the ESRB rarely plays jokes at all, even if they mistakingly release info before they should.
Continue reading: More evidence of BioShock: The Collection surfaces, on ESRB this time (full post)
North Korea bans access to Facebook, YouTube and porn sites
North Korea's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has announced a nation-wide ban on social media networks like Twitter and Facebook, as well as YouTube and even porn sites.
The Associated Press reports that North Korea is tightening its grip on censorship by blocking access to major social media sites for "a certain period of time". The ban also includes several South Korean websites, as well as gambling and porn sites. The government warns that anyone who attempts to circumvent the ban or distribute "anti-republic data" will be punished.
As North Korean citizens are walled off from the outside web and only have access to a government-controlled intranet, the new restrictions are aimed at making it extremely difficult for visitors and foreign residents to share the country's current events with the outside world. Before now visitors were able to enjoy unrestricted access to the web. Interestingly enough, Instagram has been whitelisted and isn't banned by the new law.
Continue reading: North Korea bans access to Facebook, YouTube and porn sites (full post)
Vector Unit's Riptide GP: Renegade promises insane watercraft racing
The next generation wave-riding extravaganza has just been announced by Vector Unit. Riptide GP: Renegade has a completely retuned graphics engine underneath, retuned mechanics, and promises to let us pull off some very crazy stunts in mid-air on just about every gaming platform imaginable.
The newest Riptide will let you show off to your friends with death-defying stunts over massive waterfalls in beautifully rendered scenes, outrun cops, and speed off at nearly reckless speeds across increasingly surging waves. If you're daring enough, you'll get the chance to evade police boats and drones while blasting through some rather vast and interactive race environments. Just like the previous Riptide games, there'll be no shortage of secret shortcuts, and animated obstacles to race around.
You'll also get a chance to battle your way through a variety of different race types and even boss fights to reach the top of the underground hydro jet racing circuit, which is totally a thing. Racing earns you XP and cash so you can upgrade and customize your hydro jet, unlock new stunts, and increase your rider's performance. There'll be online multiplayer plus local split screen multiplayer on consoles. And the best part is that it's supposed to run at 1080P and 60FPS on the consoles (much higher on the PC of course). It'll be available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS and through the Amazon app store.
Continue reading: Vector Unit's Riptide GP: Renegade promises insane watercraft racing (full post)
The biggest war in EVE: Online's history is brewing
EVE: Online has a spectacularly intricate political structure that's not unlike a sprawling sci-fi epic. Instead of a regal Padishah Emperor or Galactic Empire, the dreaded Imperium sits upon the throne of the EVE: Online universe, reigning over all other coalitions and clans. Thanks to the donations from an online casino, thousands of players have formed the Moneybadget Coalition to dethrone the space titan once and for all.
So why are EVE: Online players fed up with the Imperium? The Imperium apparently extorts players with the Viceroy System that has players paying cash for protection. Space is dangerous, after all, and it'd be a shame to see your hard-earned dollars wasted when your ship is utterly demolished. The Imperium also delights in earning the ire of its foes and stirring up other players: "We thrive on having our enemies be completely unhinged and hating us," Alex "The Mittani" Gianturco, one of the Imperium's leaders, said to Polygon. "We figured out a scalable way to conquer the galaxy without taking any territory."
The rebellion--in this case the Moneybadger Coalition--is now striking out against the nefarious Imperium. Online gambling site I Want ISK is funding the rebel's fleets, which measure in the thousands of dollars. Armed with its new fleet, Moneybadger swarmed Imperium space in an attack now known as the battle of M-0EE8, which actually broke the previous record for most PVP kills in a single battle.
Continue reading: The biggest war in EVE: Online's history is brewing (full post)
Final Fantasy XV needs to sell 10 million to be a financial success
The scope of the entire media project that is Final Fantasy XV is massive, with a full-length CGI movie, anime series and of course, the game itself. All of which cost a lot of money to make, increasing the amount that Square Enix has to sell in order for it to be considered a financial success.
The director for Final Fantasy XV, Hajime Tabata, explained to Kotaku that for it to be considered a commercial success, they'd have to sell 10 million units, or copies of the game, worldwide over the life of the game. 10 million is quite a bit, but needed if they want to recoup any losses. Kotaku notes that that number is more than any single Final Fantasy game has ever sold. Final Fantasy VII has sold 9.72 million copies since it was released, coming the closest. The Division has only sold 2.72 million copies since it was released, so while it's technically possible to sell that many, the number is rather large and the task somewhat daunting.
Final Fantasy XV is going to be released on the PS4 and Xbox One on September 30th 2016, with a PC version only being considered after the console launch and they can fully concentrate on porting it properly.
Continue reading: Final Fantasy XV needs to sell 10 million to be a financial success (full post)
Intel adds new PCIe SSD's to help speed up those slow Clouds
Intel is on a roll after having introduced us, finally, to Broadwell-EP on the server-side, they're also introducing a number of new SSD products intended for use in data centers or in professional capacities. Two of these new SSDs are even packing Intel's own 3D NAND technology, available for the first time in any of their products.
The DC D3700 and D3600 are being introduced to provide solutions for hot storage of data in the cloud, designed to run 24/7 for extended periods of time. They come bundled with MLC with HET (high endurance technology) and an NVMe 1.2 compliant controller that's capable of read speeds up to 2100MB/s and write speeds of up to 1500MB/s on the top-end D3600 device with a capacity of 2TB, and D3700 drive that has a capacity of 1.6TB. Sustain random read IOPS can be as high as 470K with write IOPS up to 95K on the D3700 and 30K on the D3500.
These SSDs will be offered in sizes of 800GB to 2TB with dual port 2.5" drives with U.2 connectors that support PCIe functionality. This means that unfortunately they aren't going to be backwards compatible with existing SAS or SATA connectors. If you want the highest endurance flash storage with these speeds, it'll be time to upgrade. The DC D3600 and D3700 drives also feature end-to-end data protection and power-loss data protection with self-test and thermal throttling and monitoring to make sure that they're as reliable as possible, or at the very least give you an indication when they're about to go.
Continue reading: Intel adds new PCIe SSD's to help speed up those slow Clouds (full post)
Final Fantasy 15 on PC won't happen until console ports release
Square Enix hasn't ruled out a PC release for Final Fantasy 15, and the publisher promises that it'll seriously evaluate the platform in due time--but not before the console ports release. So we could be waiting well into 2017 before FF15 makes the jump to PC.
Square Enix game director Hajime Tabata says that the studio is "aware of the big call for a PC version." but the PS4 and Xbox One flavors take priority. The studio is committed to optimizing the console versions ahead of Final Fantasy 15's September 30 release date.
"Unfortunately we weren't able to do simultaneous development on a PC and console version for XV," Tabata told Endgadget. "We had to focus on the console version, and our goal was to maximize, optimize everything for the HD consoles. Once that's done, then we will definitely take a good, hard look at PC and what we need to do, and consider all our options. But right now we aren't decided, we're still considering a lot of things."
Continue reading: Final Fantasy 15 on PC won't happen until console ports release (full post)
Unreal Engine 4.11 provides every VR headset with bug fixes, updates
Epic Games has been at the forefront of VR since the Oculus went to Kickstarter to fund its Rift headset all those years ago, with Unreal Engine 4.11 being released - including bug fixes and updates for every major HMD on the market - including the Gear VR, PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets.
Unreal Engine v4.11 includes improvements to DX12 support as well as platform/SDK improvements for Oculus Mobile SDK 1.01 (Gear VR), PlayStation VR SDK 3 and SteamVR 0.9.12. Whilst a full version (1.3.0) of the Oculus Rift SDK is promised to take over from the current 0.8 Beta in an upcoming hotfix, reports VRFocus.
The team at Unreal Engine have said that the improvements have made the engine hit the "VR ship ready" state, which is perfect timing now that the Oculus Rift is shipping to consumers, and the HTC Vive is right around the corner.
Continue reading: Unreal Engine 4.11 provides every VR headset with bug fixes, updates (full post)









