The Crew website announces that closed beta testing of the Windows edition of The Crew kicks off on Monday, and will run until Friday, outlining the subset of the features of the driving action game the test will include. Here's a bit:

Since we’ve announced THE CREW last year, we’ve received many messages from players around the world, eager to get their hands on the game! We’ve heard you loud and clear, and as we can’t wait for you to play, we announce you that our PC Closed Beta will be starting earlier than what we first announced. Get ready to play from Monday 21st of July to Friday 25th.

As you know, we’ve been focused on delivering a bold new take on the driving genre: a massive persistent world loaded with exciting driving challenges, iconic places, amazing cars - and best of all, a world filled with friends to crew up with or rivals to compete against.

Rebellion now offers Save Churchill Part 1: In Shadows, the first installment in a three-part DLC series for Sniper Elite 3 on Steam as well as a new Patriot Weapons Pack with some new firearms for the sharpshooting sequel. Not content with all that new content, they also have updated the game with a new patch that includes a free multiplayer map, the first of three planned such releases. Here's a summary of all this activity:

• Save Churchill: Part 1 – In Shadows is a new singleplayer mission for Sniper Elite 3 with co-op support to be added soon. Parts Two and Three will release later in the summer.
• The Airstrip map is included in a free update, with three more FREE multiplayer also maps due later in the summer.
• The Patriot Weapons Pack includes three all-American favourites: the Springfield Rifle, M3 Grease Gun and M1911 pistol.
• All content will be published on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PS3 although release dates will vary.

Valve announces The International is bypassing the ocho completely, and coverage of the Dota 2 tournament will appear on ESPN3 and ESPN2 over the weekend:

Valve today announced that coverage of The International Dota 2 Championships will be presented in collaboration with ESPN on its live multi-screen sports network, ESPN3. In addition, an exclusive show previewing the final match will be presented on ESPN2 on Sunday at 8:30 pm Pacific. Live access to ESPN2 is also available on digital platforms via WatchESPN.

This year's International, happening at a sold out KeyArena in Seattle, WA this Friday thru Monday (July 18-22), features a record-breaking prize pool of over $10 mil - the largest ever for a competitive gaming tournament. And for the first time, viewers can watch all the matches, interviews, and analysis happening over the course of the four-day event on ESPN3, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

On Sunday, viewers can tune in to ESPN2 for an exclusive preview of the tournament's final match, featuring highlights from the games, expert analysis, plus interviews with the players and Valve's Gabe Newell.

Steam News announces that The Elder Scrolls Online is now available through Steam, and that Bethesda's MMORPG is currently on sale for 50% off to celebrate the news. Here's the description that accompanies the announcement:

he Elder Scrolls Online is the latest chapter of the award-winning franchise – and will bring the legendary experience online for the first time. Whether you play with your friends or adventure alone, the game’s innovative combat system allows you to focus on action and tactics, not the UI. Use any weapon or armor at any time and customize your abilities to play the way you want as you uncover the mysteries of Tamriel and seek heroic quests on your own terms. Explore the far reaches of Skyrim, the mysterious lands of Morrowind, the sprawling metropolis of Daggerfall and beyond. The choices you make, from the alliance you join to the battles you fight, will shape your destiny and the world of Tamriel.

Trion Worlds announces the promised closed beta testing for ArcheAge is now underway, saying more than one million gamers have registered for the chance to participate in the first closed beta event, which will run until Monday. This producer's letter has a bit to say about what's going on:

Players who are new to ArcheAge will get to experience its uniquely customized Version 1.2 for the first time on our Beta servers in both North America and Europe.

With this version, we bring you updated combat balance, improvements to the economic game of ArcheAge, and a host of great new features. In ArcheAge you can create a farm and breed native animals for unique mounts, build a ship and travel the high seas to trade in your goods for coin, make a name for yourself crafting the best gear in the game, stalk and slaughter your fellow players, or build your own castle on Auroria!

Our first Closed Beta Event, “A Brighter Age,” starts today, and continues on through Monday, July 21st. This is just the first of our Closed Beta Events! We’ll have events during the week as well as overlapping weekends. We’ll have specifics closer to each event, as the results of a given event will affect the schedule.

Polish developer Acid Wizard announces a July 24th early access date for Darkwood, the crowd-funded game they describe as an "open world survival horror with RPG, roguelike and adventure elements, seen from a top-down perspective." If that doesn't paint a picture for you, they offer an interactive trailer to show off the experience. Here's a concise description of gameplay: "When confronted with a unknown entity, you are forced to decide: run for it, or make a stand and fight. Even simple actions that seem to only exist in the gameplay itself can make a impact on Darkwood's world, resonating through eternity, like a church bell in an otherwordly plane." Continue here to read the full story.

This CGI trailer from Sacred 3 "shows off the competitive, co-op gameplay and the humor that fans of the franchise expect," says Deep Silver. Here's more of what they have to say to explain the paradox: "A strong team is necessary to defeat the countless enemies of the evil empire. You’ll need to equip combat arts and weapons spirits that compliment your team and your own unique play style. However, there are powerful enemies that won’t be easily slain. Combine your powers with other champions to cast powerful and devastating co-op combat moves. Once the dust from the battles has settled, the score sheet will reveal which hero will stand as the undisputed champion over his or her peers. This establishes a delicate balance between friendly cooperation and cutthroat competition." Continue here to read the full story.

A bird's-eye look at The Crow's Eye can be had in a new trailer called "It's Fear That Gives Men Wings" from the survival/horror game in development at indie Spanish studio 3D2. Word is: "The Crow’s Eye is a story-driven first person horror adventure. Learn to survive while you investigate the disturbing fate of the missing students in Crowswood university. Craft items, defend yourself from unknown threats, and forget all you thought you knew about survival horrors. They say you can’t hide, but you better do… or be the next." Continue here to read the full story.

• A.V. by Preston Johnson — Kickstarter. "A.V. is a first-person stealth puzzle musical adventure game in which the player can only see the world by producing sound."
• InSomnia - An RPG Set in a Brutal Dieselpunk Universe by Studio MONO — Kickstarter. Funded with almost a week remaining to hit some stretch goals.
• YogsCast Kickstarter game “Yogventures!” cancelled - A legal perspective.

• The Apollo Bundle on Indie Royale.
• Dishonored Quakecon 2014 Deal on Steam. Save 75%.
• DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition on Steam. Save 50%.
• METAL GEAR RISING- REVENGEANCE on Steam. Save 50%.
• Quakecon Bundle 2014 on Steam. Save 45%.
• Simulators 2 Weekly Bundle on Humble Mumble.
• Starpoint Gemini on Steam. Save 75%.
• Starpoint Gemini 2 on Steam. Save 33%.
• Wolfenstein and Doom QuakeCon Deals on Green Man Gaming. Save an additional 20% with the coupon code on Dealzon.

• Braben On Elite, Oc Rift, Dodgy Gravity & Doing Space Right - Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Thanks nin.

• Risen 3: Titan Lords on Blue's News. Demon Hunters faction.

• First on Microsoft’s chopping block: Original shows for Xbox.
• PSN service 'intermittent' during Destiny beta launch.
• Crew Cut- Camera Clubs, Creator Collaborators and the Latest Crew VS Crew Battles.

• iOS still the top platform for mobile revenue.
• Assassin's Creed Memories Announced.

• Hidden From Google looks to preserve links censored over 'right to be forgotten' . Thanks HARDOCP.
• 1 Million comments on net neutrality, most since “wardrobe malfunction”.

• Microsoft trots out tired euphemisms for ‘18,000 people are losing their jobs’.

• How elite hackers (almost) stole the NASDAQ.
• Snowden: NSA employees routinely pass around intercepted nude photos.

• Rights Groups Urge President Obama to Veto CISA.
• Aereo: So, we’re a cable company, right? US Copyright Office: Um, no.
• New York State proposes sweeping Bitcoin regulations—and they’re strict.

• Point Perfect on Steam is a retro arcade game with a meta mouse control theme. Here's a recent gameplay trailer…

Link of the Day: Weird Al Spoofs Iggy Azalea’s ‘Fancy’.

R.I.P.: Blues legend Johnny Winter dies at 70 in Zurich. Thanks Dirwulf.
R.I.P.: Elaine Stritch Dead: Broadway Legend Was 89.

The Kickstarter for Carmageddon: Reincarnation outlines the latest changes to the early access edition of Stainless Games' upcoming road rage remake. The new version adds new cars, environments, powerups, and more. They have updated their early access FAQ and known issues thread accordingly, and remind backers that they are currently running a "Wish You Were Here" screenshot competition, and details on that can be found here. Vroom! Thanks nin.

This website is home to Transcendence: The Stars of the Pilgrim, a space combat and exploration game for Windows from Kronosaur Productions. This is not exactly new, as there's already a paid ($3.00) expansion for the free game, and a new patch was just released updating it to version 1.3. Among other changes, the new version adds an orchestral soundtrack, which is also offered separately for free on SoundCloud. "Like all the other upgrades in 1.3," composer Michael Tangent says. "The new music score is about making a more immersive experience for the player." This page has all the details on the new patch.

This barebones webpage offers downloads of a new alpha demo for Formicide, Rock Wall Games' upcoming 2D multiplayer platformer of ant warfare. Here's word on the changes from their previous demo: "New content and features include a new map with a new game mode, point control. Two teams battle over control beacons with selectable classes. Holding more beacons than the enemy team generates points over time, and the first team to 100 points wins each game." A new "Classes" teaser trailer offers a look at the game. Continue here to read the full story.

UbiBlog offers an accolades trailer for Rainbow Six: Siege, celebrating the uncritical acclaim the game met with at this year's E3. Those interested in seeing more of the upcoming tactical shooter sequel can check out a livestream today at 2:00 pm EDT today. Word is: "Catch the livestream of the special behind-closed-doors demo we showed the press at E3 2014 on Twitch.tv on Thursday, July 17, at 11:00 AM PT. Watch the dev team play live and see for yourself what impressed the critics." Continue here to read the full story.

Web-based gaming portal gamigo announces an agreement with Ubisoft to integrate Anno Online and The Settlers Online directly into gamigo. Here's how this will work:

Ubisoft's multiplayer online games are close to getting integrated directly into gamigo.com, allowing registered gamigo users to play these titles for free. Revenue will be generated via the sale of digital items in the game. The proceeds will then be distributed among Ubisoft and gamigo. This cooperative effort will begin with the titles "Anno Online" and "The Settlers Online" from Blue Byte, an Ubisoft studio.

"We very much look forward to working together with gamigo in future. This partnership is an entirely new model, for which we have high expectations," says Geoffroy Sardin, Sales and marketing VP at Ubisoft. "Thanks to the great selection and wide array of choices in the marketing of online games, as well as the substantial number of potential customers in this sector, gamigo AG is an ideal partner for us."

• Bacon Man- An Adventure by Skymap Games — Kickstarter. "A toaster gun shooting, kung-food fighting, co-op action game starring Bacon Man, true heir to the Meat Throne." Thanks Gamer's Hell.
• Kickstarter-funded Yogventures canned, backers given Steam key for another game instead.

• EVGA - XV Anniversary Celebration.

• Cloud Chamber on Strategy Informer.

• Xbox One Sales "More Than Double" In June.
• Destiny Xbox One beta won't be 1080p, but the final version will.
• NHL 15 True Hockey Physics Video.
• Videos: new Ace Combat Infinity content announced.

• WiGig Startup Nitero Launches NT4600 802.11ad Solution for Mobile Platforms.

Thanks Ant.

• SonyOnline.net Domain Expires, Shenanigans Ensue for all SOE Games, Forums, Websites. Thanks Slashdot.
• New Mexico threatens inmate with 90 days' solitary because his family made him a Facebook page. Should make for interesting selfies.
• VirtualBox 4.3.14 adds Blu-ray support for Mac hosts, squashes more bugs.

• Microsoft Cuts 18,000 Jobs as Nadella Streamlines for Cloud Era.
• EVGA Releases Precision X 15 – Video-game Monitor & Overclocking Program – Accused Of Stealing Code.

• Overreliance on the NSA led to weak crypto standard, NIST advisers find.
• Almost a million fake apps are targeting your phone.
• PS3 hacker joins Google to work on security project.

• Senate passes cell phone unlocking bill without opposition.
• Microsoft joins Google in accepting 'right to be forgotten' requests.
• Ikea lawyers stay busy policing the Web as they take on Ikeafans.com.
• Rogers Releases New Policy on Disclosing Subscriber Information- Come Back with a Warrant. Thanks Ant via Slashdot.
• Yahoo exec countersues against sexual harassment claim. Thanks HARDOCP.

• Abyss Odyssey on Christ Centered Gamer.
• Murdered: Soul Suspect on Skewed and Reviewed.
• Shovel Knight on Zero Punctuation. NSFW.
• WildStar on myGamer.

• Biostar's Hi-Fi Z97WE motherboard on The Tech Report.
• BitFenix Fury 650G Power Supply on Pure Overclock.
• BitFenix Neos Case on pcGameware.
• Corsair Flash Voyager GTX 128GB on Vortez.
• Crucial MX100 512GB SSD on TechwareLabs.
• Digital Storm Vanquish 2 Level 4 Desktop Gaming PC on TweakTown.
• Intel Haswell Devil's Canyon Performance on Hardware Asylum.
• Linksys WRT1900AC Dual Band WiFi Router on Legit Reviews.
• MSI GE60 on AnandTech.
• Phanteks Enthoo Luxe on techPowerUp.
• Samsung 845DC PRO 400GB SATA SSD on Custom PC Review.
• SB Inferno Gaming Headset on LAN OC.
• Shuttle Barebone DS81 on Mad Shrimps.
• Silverstone Raven 5 (RV05) ATX Case on TechSpot.
• Spire Ridge 6602B on ocaholic.

Thanks Ant.

• Natural Selection 2 team seeks Linux developers to join the Community Development Team…
• Wolfenstein Lore in a Minute…

My pet-sitting got extended by some changes to our neighbors' plans, but they are home again, so my services are no longer required. I had a great time looking after the little guys, and I think I was a pretty good choice for the job, as I went a little beyond my minimized mandate to do some cage cleaning and such. I'll miss my daily visits with the gecko and guinea pig, and am more set than ever on the idea of getting a lizard of my own.

Links:	Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play:	Ferro: Robot on the Run. Kick the Critter. Sticky Blocks. Idle Web Tycoon.
Link:	When the U.S. Almost Nuked the Moon. Thanks Digg.
Story:	Large crater appears at the 'end of the world'.
Media:	We Can't Write A Headline That Does Justice To Stuart Scott's Speech On Life With Cancer. Loading a Motorcycle like a Boss. No way.
Follow-up:	Would-Be Rescuers of Wayward Spacecraft Previously Solved a NASA Mystery. Thanks j.c.f.