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  • Upcoming Changes Set to Alter the CS:GO Experience in the New Year img Dec 26, 2023 Alison Harvard Upcoming Changes Set to Alter the CS:GO Experience in the New Year Come the new year, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive fans might encounter a bittersweet turning point as Valve gears up to introduce sweeping changes to the beloved game. As players have alternated between the time-tested CS:GO and its modernized counterpart, CS2, they now face a pivotal shift set to redefine their engagement with this iconic shooter franchise. CS:GO, a ten-year veteran in the esports arena, has long held sway as a premier title in competitive gaming circles. Yet, longstanding grievances have marred its reputation, particularly concerning the inferior 64-tick servers. With the advent of CS2, Valve ushered in improved visuals, game dynamics, and, most notably, upgraded server performance, which addressed many concerns. Nonetheless, a portion of the live player base remains drawn to the original CS:GO for its nostalgic charm and enduring gameplay. Plans for the original CS:GO's future, detailed by Valve on the Steam Support page for Counter Strike, reveal that official backing for CS:GO is slated to end come January. Although access to the game will continue, Valve warns about possible disruptions to features tied to the Game Coordinator, such as access to player inventories. Consequently, while transferring in-game items from CS:GO to CS2 could be an option, the reverse transfer might encounter roadblocks. One particular shortcoming of CS2 lies in its lack of support for older technology, including DirectX 9 and machines operating on 32-bit systems. The ongoing partiality some players show towards the original CS:GO, largely due to its community-run servers, highlights the significance of these servers in the game's culture. They provide a spectrum of play experiences, from standard skirmishes to inventive gameplay modes that have become a staple for the CS:GO community. Valve communicated that post-January 1, 2024, the original CS:GO will remain playable, but some functionalities that depend on Game Coordinator compatibility may degrade or cease to function. Should the predicted limitations on inventory access take effect, this may nudge players toward CS2, potentially diminishing the community server scenes. While this might not ring the death knell for CS:GO, which could still be played outside of official matchmaking similar to what is observed in Counter-Strike Source, it does signal a... Read More
  • Fallout London Mod Release Rescheduled for St George's Day 2024 Amid Global Events img Dec 24, 2023 Benjamin Carter Fallout London Mod Release Rescheduled for St George's Day 2024 Amid Global Events The creators of the ambitious Fallout London mod, an extensive alteration of Fallout 4, have recently shared an update regarding the project's timeline. Initially eyeing a Q3 2023 release, the team had to readjust its plans partially in response to the arrival of Bethesda Game Studios' own Starfield. Nevertheless, their resolution to launch the mod by late 2023 was steadfast until further challenges arose. As the year advanced, the modders were compelled by significant events on the global stage, presumably hinting at the turmoil in locales such as Ukraine and Palestine, to push back their timeline. Due to these circumstances, members responsible for the mod's scripting were affected, necessitating a reshuffling of responsibilities. This reorganization had a domino effect, disrupting the testing phase and enforcing the developers' decision to postpone the release to ensure a quality experience. The team has expressed an unwavering commitment to releasing a game that lives up to both their and the community's standards. They seek to avoid hasty releases experienced by other projects in the past; therefore, they have now set the release day to coincide with St George's Day on April 23, 2024. In the months leading up to this new deadline, the team will double down on rigorous testing and fine-tuning to deliver on expectations. In their development report, the team behind Fallout London boasted several notable achievements, including: - The involvement of over 200 volunteers over a three-year development span; - A playable map featuring 15 boroughs of London with intricately designed spaces for exploration; - Seven distinct settlements compatible with Fallout 4's settlement construction feature; - A massive playable area equal to the combined expanses of Fallout 4's Commonwealth and the Far Harbor expansion; - An impressive array of custom-built assets, including 121 weapons, over 500 clothing items, and various other unique game resources; - A rich auditory experience with new music tracks and radio stations; - A narrative comprising more than 50 main quests and a myriad of side and faction-specific missions; - Companions bringing life to the game, complete with voice acting and intricate relationship dynamics; - An enormous count of voice lines exceeding those in other titles such as Fallout... Read More