The
Dota 2 blog
announces "Dota 2 Reborn" a reboot of Valve's MOBA that's entering beta testing
with a new engine (presumably Source 2, though those Unity guys are persistent) and
more.
Here's the deal:
Today we are announcing the Dota 2 Reborn Beta, which
brings with it a new interface, new engine and Custom Games. Everything in the
dashboard has been completely redesigned utilizing a new UI framework, and the
engine that powers the game has been fully replaced. On today’s update page we
will be giving you a preview of the new interface. Early next week we’ll be
talking about Custom Games, and later that week we’ll conclude with various
details about the new engine and launch the open beta.
Throughout the beta we’ll be releasing frequent updates in order to fix bugs and
make changes based on the feedback you provide. As you browse around in the new
client, you’ll notice a few things that aren’t fully functional yet.
Additionally, our focus has been on the dashboard so you’ll find the in-game HUD
currently looks the same.
We want you to help us during the beta with your suggestions and bug reports.
Our intention is to keep gameplay and heroes looking and feeling the same, so if
you find anything unexpected please let us know. We’ll be bringing the update
out of beta some time after The International to ensure we have enough time to
respond to all of your feedback.
The
GeForce website offers another
GeForce GTX GameWorks
trailer from
Batman: Arkham Knight, this time showing off the Batmobile in Rocksteady's upcoming
superhero sequel. Here's word:
This week we're showing off the Batmobile,
and demonstrating how NVIDIA GameWorks' GPU accelerated
Interactive Smoke &
Fog PhysX effects greatly enhance Batman's armored ride and its weapons.
Like the effects shown last week, each can be manipulated by movement,
environmental conditions and external forces, and move realistically around and
across surfaces. This is particularly evident when the Batmobile simultaneously
attacks and moves, affecting the smoke from its canon and missiles.
This week's video also gives you a better look at the particle shadows cast by
Batmobile GPU-accelerated tire smoke, which further increases image quality.
Next time out we'll take a detailed look at the PhysX-powered Destruction found
throughout the game, enabling Batman and his enemies to realistically destroy
objects and other game elements.
If you wish to upgrade your PC in preparation for Batman’s return, select
GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 980, 970, and 960 graphics cards
are currently bundled with a free
Steam copy of the game. If you need an entirely new system, however, select
GeForce GTX 900 Series desktops and notebooks are also included in the offer.
Check out the Batman: Arkham Knight
bundle page for further details.
Continue here to read the full story.
This trailer offers
a first look at gameplay from
Sébastien Loeb Rally EVO, Milestone's
upcoming mixed-surface racing game. The clip features the virtual version of the Rallycross Los Angeles track, and word is this will be on display in the "real"
version of Los Angeles next week at E3: "The game, and the new track, will be
playable for the first time ever at the E3 2015 at the Bandai Namco
Entertainment America booth, offering a guaranteed adrenalin rush to anybody who
wants to take hold of the steering wheel and compete. Rallycross is an
automobile race based on speed and power, held on mixed-surface (dirt and
asphalt) circuits. The vehicles are very similar to rally cars: competitors
drive modified production street vehicles or cars specially built for the
sport."
Continue here to read the full story.
Last night was the concert I recently mentioned in the forums, as Graham Parker
& The Rumor played in the area, and while my serious concert-going days are in
the past, Graham Parker is one of my all-time favorite musical artists. The band
has a new album which has met with
good reviews, but they played mostly older songs at the show. The show was
great and a fine time was had by all, though the effect of feeling youthful at a
rock concert is a little diminished when everyone in the audience looks so
darned old — Except us, of course, I hope we didn't make any of them feel bad,
since we look exactly the same as we when all those songs were brand new. And
here's a plug for those in the area who might care, the band is playing in
Manhattan tonight at the
Highline
Ballroom.