This announcement has the short and sweet word that development is complete on the next Deus Ex game, saying, "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is GOLD! We can’t wait for you all to play our game." This makes it sound like the action/RPG sequel is on track for it's most recent release date of August 23rd. The game had previously been expected earlier this year, but it was delayed until next month to better meet fans' lofty expectations.

Disney has followed up on their announcement that they are cancelling Disney Infinity as part of their exit from the game publishing business (thanks Eurogamer). The Disney Infinity website has word that the console editions will retain some offline functionality, as will the Steam version, but the standalone PC editions will cease to work at all in the near future, with the Windows 8/10 edition to continue into March of next year and the other PC versions to give out on September 30th. Here's the complete rundown on when the game disks become coasters and the related toys become dust-catchers:

Below is an overview of the timelines and additional details are available on our FAQ pages.

As of today (July 29, 2016)

• No in-game purchases can be made within the PC, Steam version of Disney Infinity 2.0, iOS, Google Android, Amazon Android and Apple TV versions of the game as this feature has now been removed
• You can continue to make in-game purchases within the Steam version of Disney Infinity 3.0.

As of September 30, 2016

• You will no longer be able to log in to play the PC, iOS, Google Android and Amazon Android versions of Disney Infinity, these will no longer be available on the respective app stores
• The Steam versions of Disney Infinity 2.0 & 3.0 will remain operational with the exception of all online services and community features as these will be discontinued.
• Apple TV versions of Disney Infinity will be removed from the AppStore
• The Disney Infinity Community team will no longer be reviewing or approving any new Toy Boxes that are submitted to Disney for all console, mobile and PC versions of the game. However if you are playing on any console, Apple TV or Windows 8/10 versions of the game, you can continue to download your favorite Toy Boxes from the Community Content section until March 3, 2017

As of January 3, 2017

• No in-game purchases can be made within the Windows 8/10 versions of the game as this feature will be removed

As of March 3, 2017

• Apple TV and Windows 8/10 versions will no longer be available, supported or playable
• All Disney Infinity online services and community features for all versions will be discontinued

To learn more about which services of Disney Infinity are being removed or information related to your game version, visit our Closing FAQs located here.

Saying it wasn't an easy decision, BioWare announces they are closing the BioWare forums effective August 26th. Their explanation of why they are making this move indicates the forums are redundant with today's social media, saying "there have never been more ways for us to connect." They note they don't even frequent their own boards as much as other sites' these days. Here's a bit:

Now we can travel around the world, meeting with you face-to-face at events like PAX, SDCC, and even shows in our own backyard. We can share stories with you on the go, giving you a look behind the scenes on sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

In turn, you’ve built your own fantastic communities in places like Tumblr and Reddit. You’ve created comprehensive Wikis and countless pieces of fantastic art, fiction, and cosplay.

With so many great things so widely available, our developers today find themselves spending more time on other sites, and less time in our own forums. And to our fans and players who came to those boards looking to talk to us, it was a great disservice.

So it is with a heavy heart that we will close our public forums on August 26, 2016. We will maintain some private boards, and may use these in future for beta feedback or other special projects.

Because we know there is a lot of information on there you may want to keep, the public boards will remain in a read-only state until October 25, 2016. After that date, they will be taken down.

Steam News announces the release of the Call of the Beastmen campaign pack for Total War: WARHAMMER, the fantasy-themed strategy game. Here's a trailer showing off the pack, and here's the news:

The Beastmen... Something stirs in the deep dark forests of The Old World. Between the twisted trunks, the Beastlords grow restless with an all-consuming battle-thirst. They gather to them great Warherds of barbarous, bestial fiends, forged in the Time of Chaos; dark amalgams of human intelligence, animal cunning and raw, reckless ferocity...

Continue here to read the full story.

SEGA announces that Scott Speed is the U.S. spokesperson for Motorsport Manager, alerting us to development of this racing management sim that's coming to Windows and OS X in September via Steam with a Linux version also in the works. The Motorsport Manager website has all the details. Here's the deal:

Motorsport Manager™, an all-new and fully immersive motorsport management PC game experience, is proud to announce former Formula 1® driver and Global Rallycross winner Scott Speed as its brand ambassador.

Created by Playsport Games and published by SEGA, this new title is a highly detailed management experience for motorsport fans. Players are embedded in the exciting world of open-wheeled racing and take on the role of team manager. You own every decision in building your own team, starting with the construction of your own Headquarters and workshops, through staffing and recruitment to hiring the most experienced of drivers. Motorsport Manager then allows the player to tune the cars, develop new parts and create race strategies in real time. Not only do you make tactical race decisions but players can even participate in the political manoeuvring behind the scenes to secure an edge for their team. If you are a motorsports fan, this game will bring your fantasy of running your own team to life. Do you have what it takes?

Motorsport Manager™ allows players and fans of motorsports to explore all aspects of managing a racing team and who better than Scott Speed to talk about how the depth and realism come to life in this game?

Telltale Games unveils 'Batman: Unmasked' Episode One, kicking off a series of live videos related to BATMAN - The Telltale Series, their episodic superhero adventure that will kick off next week. Here's word:

Hosted by kindafunny.com's Greg Miller, Batman: Unmasked is a series of after-show discussions on all things pertaining to the The Caped Crusader’s upcoming action-packed interactive narrative adventure. With special guests that include comic book industry experts, community legends, cast and crew, Batman: Unmasked delves into what makes Bruce Wayne tick, as well as in-depth dissections of each episode of the Telltale series as they release.

In this inaugural episode, Greg talks with ComicVine's Tony Guerrero, Telltale's CEO Kevin Bruner, and the game's Executive Producer, Sean O'Connor. Join them as they discuss the origins of the game, as well as what you can expect in this new five part series.

Continue here to read the full story.

• AIRHEART receives Steam Greenlight. "AIRHEART follows Amelia, a young pilot and sky-fisherwoman who dreams of reaching the stratosphere and catching the legendary Skywhale, a feat that promises riches and fame through the ages. Skyfishing is a cutthroat business, though, and Amelia must outmaneuver sky pirates and automated security zones to survive each perilous flight through the beautiful world of floating islands in the clouds she calls home."

• Best of Summer Sale 2016 ON GOG.com.
• Capcom Weekend on GamesRepublic.com.
• Friday Special Bundle #36 on Indiegala.
• Mushihimesama ON Steam. Save 50%.

• G2A Scammer Explains How He Profited Off Stolen Indie Game Keys.
• One life to live: Grinding Gear Games interview with Chris Wilson.

• All PS VR games will work with a standard PS4, confirms Sony.
• The Voice is getting its own videogame on PS4! Yes, really.
• DriveClub VR confirmed for PlayStation VR launch.
• This Week On Xbox – July 29, 2016.

• AT&T boosts U-verse data cap to 1TB, keeps DSL users at 150GB.
• Google Fiber, Comcast, Bicker Over Utility Poles in Nashville.

• It’s now or never: Free Windows 10 upgrade ends in just a few hours.
• Cortana expelled from Windows 10's new school editions. Thanks wtf_man.
• Patriot Adds Two Dual-Channel DDR4-3733 Memory Kits into Lineup.

• Democratic Party’s congressional fundraising committee was also hacked.

• Facebook: We will fight IRS over billions in possible owed back taxes.

Link of the Day: Moment A Suspension Bridge Collapses During A Massive Flood.

AMD support now offers version 16.7.3 Crimson reference drivers for Radeon graphics cards, addressing some issues and improving performance for Rise of the Tomb Raider. Here's word:

Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.7.3 Highlights

• Performance Improvements:
  • Rise of the Tomb Raider™ performance increase up to 10% versus Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.7.2 on Radeon™ RX 480 graphics(1)

Fixed Issues

• Overwatch™ may experience an application crash on some Radeon™ RX 480 configurations when using AMD Crossfire mode.
• Vulkan™ information in the Radeon Settings software information tab may display an incorrect version.
• Radeon WattMan may retain settings of an overclock after it has failed. If you have failed an overclock with a system hang or reboot.
• Hitman™ may experience graphical corruption when the game is set to use DirectX®12 API and using zoom with weapons.
• Total War™: Warhammer may experience minor graphical corruption in some map textures on AMD Radeon R9 380.
• Flickering may be observed in Rise of the Tomb Raider™ on some AMD Crossfire configurations using the DirectX®11 API.
• Changing settings in Dragon Age Inquisition™ with the Mantle API may result in an application crash or driver recovery.
• DiRT™ Rally may experience flickering terrain in some races when the advanced blending option is enabled in the games settings page.
• Display may exhibit a minor flicker on Radeon RX 480 when Freesync is enabled on a games launch or exit.
• Shadows may experience rendering issues in DOTA2™ when using the Vulkan™ API.
• Textures may experience holes or gaps in DOOM™ when using the OpenGL API and three display AMD Eyefinity configurations.
• Need for Speed™ may experience flickering on some light sources in AMD Crossfire mode.
• Performing a task switch with two cloned displays during full screen gaming may cause flickering on the extended display.

Blizzard announces One Night in Karazhan will launch on August 11th, offering the newest adventure for Hearthstone, their card strategy game. Word is this will launch with a bonus card pack for the first week and it will be accompanied by a free prologue mission that can earn you two free bonus cards. You can find more details on this page and here's the announcement:

“One Night in Karazhan will give players the chance to party with Medivh while earning some great new cards for their collections,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re excited to reimagine one of Azeroth’s most beloved locations in Hearthstone, and we can’t wait to see players put their new decks to the test.”

Once you arrive at the party, you’ll find that Medivh has gone missing—and his collection of arcane objects is running amok throughout the castle. It’s up to you and Moroes, Medivh’s trusted butler, to keep the party under control and find your host, while still finding time to enjoy the amenities! With a lineup of iconic characters to encounter, everyone’s favorite enchanted chess board, and 45 groovy new cards to add to your collection, One Night in Karazhan promises to be an Adventure to remember.

The party starts August 11 on Windows® and Mac® PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android™ tablets; and iOS and Android mobile phones, and the four wings of One Night in Karazhan will open on a weekly basis (one per week). One Night in Karazhan will be available in the in-game shop in full for $19.99 USD, one wing at a time for 700 gold or $6.99 USD each, or in discounted bundles based on the number of individual wings already purchased. Upon release, all Hearthstone players will be able to play a prologue mission free and earn two of the Adventure’s new cards. In addition, players who purchase the full Adventure during the first week of its release will receive a special Karazhan-themed card back.

The Feral Radar offers a teaser for upcoming OS X and Linux ports they currently have in the works. Some of the items on their radar carry titles, but some are more nebulous than that. In that vague category is one listing in the "soon" ring that shows what looks like an image of Mars with both OS X and Linux logos. That's all there is to go by, but it has inspired speculation that the game being ported is id's new DOOM. Thanks Ant.

EF-12- Fighting Game Maker is now available on Steam, offering a Windows fighting game with an unusual focus on customization. In addition to allowing you to brawl with opponents, the game includes the ability to import custom content created by yourself or others, saying this requires no programming knowledge to add new characters and stages. Along with the game they offer a playable demo allowing you to check out gameplay, though this does not support these import functions. According to Steam News, "Also, if you are keeping an eye on the guide's section. We have added a series of guides on how to work different aspects of editing and customizing EF-12." Here's a trailer. Continue here to read the full story.

• Clockwork is Greenlit on Steam.
• Lost in Harmony receives Steam Greenlight.

• Dota 2 Update - July 28th, 2016.
• It's big. It's bad. It's changelog 0.15.4 for Minecraft Pocket & Win 10.
• Starbound - 1.0.3 – Changelog.
• Team Fortress 2 update released.

• Does eSports need regulation? Nah, the wild west approach always works out.

• F1 2016 Digital Is Now Available For Digital Pre-order And Pre-download On Xbox One.
• Quatros Origins Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• PlayStation VR requires about 60-square feet of space to use and other new details.
• PlayStation Blogcast 217- …And I Feel Fine.

• Microsoft cuts 3,000 jobs in smartphone division, sales.

• The End of Gmane? Thanks Slashdot via Ant.
• Netflix's "Arrested," "Mirror," "Bloodline" Updates.

• Microsoft celebrates the 20th anniversary of Windows Server.
• AMD reveals the full specs of the Radeon RX 460 and RX 470.
• Verizon Offers 'Tech Support Pro' -- For $10 More a Month. For an extra $120 a year we'll make sure our service works.

• It's time for a discussion about malvertising.

• Federal court says state law can’t ban political robocalls.
• ISPs Will Try En Banc Route to Try And Kill Net Neutrality.
• FCC Fines AT&T $106,000 for Over-Charging Florida Schools.

• Antec GX505 Window SC Mid-Tower Chassis on TweakTown.
• Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming graphics card on The Tech Report.
• Inatek BH1001 Bluetooth headset on PC & Video Games Examiner.
• MSI GTX 1080 GAMING Z 8GB on Hardware Canucks.
• SanDisk SSD PLUS 240 GiB on Hardware Secrets.
• Sapphire Nitro Radeon RX 480 4GB Video Card on Legit Reviews.
• SilverStone ST60F-TI Strider Titanium 600W PSU on AnandTech.
• Synology DS916+ 4-bay NAS on eTeknix and techPowerUp.
• Thermaltake Suppressor F31 Mid Tower Case on Neoseeker.
• Turtle Beach Elite Pro Gaming Headset on Gaming Nexus.
• Warcraft Doomhammer Charging Cord on ThinkComputers.org.

• FALLOUT: REVELATION fan-made Pilot 1/3…
• Diablo III BlizzCon 2016 Goodie Bag- Diablo IV Announcement Conspiracy…
• Good Game Spawn Point - Series 7 Episode 24. Thanks Ant…
• You can glitch between levels in this Overwatch map…

Happy Sysadmin Day. It's been a couple of decades since I hung up my terminal, so I should be done decompressing soon. I am technically sysadmin here at the BlueTower too, but just two users I can usually handle okay.

R.I.P.: Jerry Doyle, 'Babylon 5' Actor and EpicTimes Founder, Dies. Thanks Neutronbeam.

Links:	Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play:	Splix.io.
Science:	Alzheimer's Disease Sniff Test- Identifying Odors May Detect Early Memory Decline, Dementia.
Images:	World of Tanks has a real-life plane. Thanks Kingsley. A Windows 10 upgrade reminder tends to be more important that the time of departure of your flight.
Media:	Game Heroes Vs Cut Scenes. ELDERS REACT TO HTC VIVE (VR). Repair and Restore of Radio Shack's Armatron Robotic Arm from 1984.