Activision Blizzard Announces Third-Quarter 2018 Financial Results are online, which they describe as "better-than-expected." Word is: "For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, Activision Blizzard’s net revenues presented in accordance with GAAP were $1.51 billion, as compared with $1.62 billion for the third quarter of 2017. GAAP net revenues from digital channels were $1.28 billion. GAAP operating margin was 18%. GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.34, as compared with $0.25 for the third quarter of 2017." Gamasutra has a slide that goes with the results that sheds more light on the period, as it reveals that Destiny 2: Forsaken has "underperformed expectations." On the Blizzard side, they also show lower revenues for both Overwatch and Hearthstone, though they do not say this was unexpected.

Digital Illusions announces that the free Fortuna expansion is now available to update Warframe on Steam, their free-to-play third-person shooter for Windows. This trailer celebrate the news with a look at the game and a listen to an oppressive dirge from Hans and Franz about lifting together. Here's word on the pack and the viral campaign that preceded its release:

To get the word out, Digital Extremes has initiated a handful of player-based campaigns, starting with a unique ARG (Alternate Reality Game) based on the new faction, Solaris United. Players have worked together in a secret Discord channel to solve riddles and unravel the Solaris United's backstory. By lifting together, players worked to earn in-game rewards including exclusive sigils for starters. Players can see all the info at discord.gg/lifttogether".

Additionally, Digital Extremes is running a Fortuna Twitch Drop launch campaign for one week starting on launch day (From Fortuna's launch until 2 pm PST, Thursday, November 15) to give away an abundance of cool rewards! Anyone watching a Warframe Fortuna stream for a minimum of one hour, every hour, will have the chance to get a random reward, including Warframes Nidus and Khora, a Rifle Riven, celebratory fireworks and more!

On Fortuna, players will make friends with the Solaris United Faction underground in the hub city of Fortuna and explore the massive new Landscape of The Orb Vallis on the planet surface. They can dive into the faction's stories, learn about the plight of The Business, Eudico, Rude Zuud, the Ventkids, and others, to help them rebel against their oppressors. Once equipped with missions, Tenno will find travel is much faster and more fun on Venus! By using either the trusty Archwing or the K-Drive hoverboard they can blast across the wide open Venusian landscape to pull off grabs, spins, rails and to explore the giant environment. While surveying the new terrain, the Corpus occupiers, led by the profit-obsessed Nef Anyo, bring new technology, weapons, systems, and warriors to bear. Tenno should keep an eye out for giant robo-spiders, new enemy soldiers and more. The new Danger Rating system will keep all players on their toes.

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Blackmill Games and M2H announce February 13th is when to expect the official launch of Tannenberg, their World War I shooter that's currently in Early Access on Steam. They offer this trailer to celebrate the release by showing about five seconds of action featuring new Bulgarian forces that will be part of the release, as will a special winter offensive event. Here's word on the launch as well as this Sunday's 100th anniversary of the armistice that marked the end of the war and plans to bring some of the advances from Tannenberg to Verdun, it's predecessor:

Tannenberg’s Early Access development has seen Romania introduced to the game with a squad and the Mount Coṣna map, a whole new sound system with realistic new audio effects (demo video at https://youtu.be/VyIZ2TCCwAQ), new weapons, and many other improvements. Every aspect has been worked on through the Early Access, from performance and map design to the artillery command systems and AI bot behaviour… and we’re not done yet! More updates will be made in these last months, in particular making the squads and roles within them more distinctive. Call-ins of artillery and air support will be further balanced, and attention will be paid to the weapons in order to make sure they all feel authentic and varied in how they handle. There will also be extra polish for the new user interface which released earlier today. The game is now cleaner, more intuitive and more atmospheric, from the menus to the battle maps and soldier HUDs. Up until the full release there will be continued gameplay improvements to ensure the feeling of large scale Eastern Front warfare is captured.

Co-founder Jos Hoebe says: “We received great feedback from Tannenberg players, and have made use of that as we iterate on our gameplay to create an intense, authentic Eastern Front experience.”

It isn’t only Tannenberg which is seeing an update this Winter! A huge free update is expected for Verdun later this year, including gameplay improvements, bots, an interface overhaul to bring it in line with the new UI of Tannenberg, and new content! M2H and Blackmill Games have been committed to making both entries in the WW1 Game Series compelling experiences, and have taken this past year to do so,

New at Release!
The announcement trailer shows Bulgaria joining the fight, and that’s just part of what’s expected. More details on the new additions will be revealed to the community in the upcoming months. We can also announce that a special winter offensive is planned for the release! But the exact details will remain a mystery - so mark your calendar for February 13th!

World War One Armistice Day In addition to sharing our great Tannenberg news, we would also like to take some time to reflect on the history. This Sunday, November 11th, will mark the centenary of the Armistice that ended fighting in the First World War. We will ask players to mark the Armistice in-game with two minutes silence, and on our social media where they will be able to read the stories of 100 people who died during the war. The WW1 Game Series Facebook page will also pay respect by using a poppy memorial frame. Others are welcome to use the frame for their own pages if they wish.

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Frontier Developments shows off two new ships that will launch alongside Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter Four, the update for their space combat game that's coming later this year. The new chapter will see the release of the Mamba and the Krait Phantom, and they offer this trailer showing the Mamba in sitting on the showroom floor in a fresh coat of Zaino. Here's word:

Frontier Developments revealed two new ships that will be launching alongside the upcoming Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter Four update later this year.

Mamba: Based on an unreleased racing prototype, the Mamba brings blistering speed combined with huge firepower to Elite Dangerous as part of the Beyond – Chapter Four update. Sporting one huge and two large hardpoints, the Mamba’s emphasis on power and speed allows players to hit hard and vanish before a target has had time to react.

Krait Phantom: Joining the Mamba in Beyond – Chapter Four is the Krait Phantom. Following on from its sister ship the Krait Mk II, the Phantom is a lighter, faster ship that features a spacious cargo hold and relatively generous quantity of hardpoints. Though it may not boast the same firepower as the Mk II, the Phantom can still hold its own against larger targets and has enough straight-line speed to outpace smaller ships.

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Tencent Games announces a new patch is live on Steam for Ring of Elysium, their Early Access battle royale game. This kicks off an eight week long seasonal event with a free Adventurer Pass, which can also be upgraded for a price for additional rewards. Here's word:

Tencent Games are thrilled to announce a major November update for their smash hit battle royale Ring of Elysium. Tencent Games are officially launching the Adventurer Pass Season 1 on November 8th.

This 8-week seasonal event will be an opportunity to earn exclusive in-game rewards by playing the game and levelling up event specific season tiers. As season tiers are increased, different rewards will be unlocked, including 3 new Icons (special playable characters), player portraits, glider skins, snowboard skins, climbing gear skins, lobby background music, loading screens, and more!

All players will be able to participate in the basic event with the Free Pass, which will allow players to increase their season tiers and obtain rewards. Players can purchase the full Adventurer Pass for 950 E-Points to gain access to the full range of exclusive rewards.

Just signing up for the Adventurer Pass will grant players rewards including the Icon characters- Gavin X, Haas, and Lynn. They also gain access to exclusive Adventurer weekly challenges, a continuous XP bonus, and more. Players that choose to purchase later on won’t miss out. Players can buy the Adventurer Pass mid-season and retroactively earn the premium rewards based on the season tier that they already achieved.

• Steam Client Update Released.

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• Black Desert (BETA) Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• YouTube is available for the Nintendo Switch.

• Google is testing crash and speed trap reporting in Maps. Thanks [H]ardOCP.
• That Cute Baby-Bear Video Reveals a Problem With Drones. Thanks RedEye9.

• YouTube to label government and public-funded clips.
• Amazon releases Alexa app for Windows 10.
• Vine will be revived as Byte next spring.
• Disney Streaming Service Name & Early Slate.

• Chinese news agency adds AI anchors to its broadcast team.

• Cryptocurrency Mining Malware uses Various Evasion Techniques, Including Windows Installer, as Part of its Routine. Thanks [H]ardOCP.
• Chrome will soon warn you about tricky mobile subscription signups. Thanks Kxmode.
• SUPERAntiSpyware version 8.0.1024. Thanks Ant.
• All About Android Antivirus. Thanks RedEye9.
• Thieves are using 'informed delivery' to spy on mail and commit fraud.
• North Korea-linked hacking group stole millions from ATMs.

• Intel-drafted U.S. data privacy bill would protect firms from fines. Our legislators. Thanks [H]ardOCP.
• Satanists are suing Netflix over ‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.’ Playing devil's advocate. You have to give the devil his due. The devil is in the... okay, I'll stop now.

Link of the Day: Couldn't stop laughing at how accurate South Park portrayed Red Dead addiction. Thanks Ant.

NVIDIA announces the release of new GeForce Game Ready 416.81 WHQL drivers for NVIDIA graphics cards. These are described as game-ready for Battlefield V and Hunt: Showdown, and this article has more on support for the latter game. This post has the complete release notes.

Square Enix just announces the departure of Hajime Tabata, the game director of the Final Fantasy series along with word they are cancelling three of the four DLC packs they were planning for Final Fantasy XV. Kotaku has the details on what this means for the action/RPG sequel:

Square Enix just announced in a livestream that three of the four upcoming pieces of downloadable content for Final Fantasy XV have been cancelled. The one remaining will be out next year.

Back in April, we were told there’d be four more pieces of DLC coming for the 2016 game, with episodes called Ardyn, Aranea, Luna and Noctis. Only Ardyn is left, and it’ll be out in March 2019.

In addition to the cancellations, it was also announced that Hajime Tabata, the man who took over from Tetsuya Nomura as director of the game in 2013, has left Square Enix.

Steam now offers new Special Transport DLC for American Truck Simulator, updating this hauling simulation with additional challenges. If you've ever dreamed of terrorizing drivers by cruising down the highway with an oversized load, then this is for you. Here's a trailer with a look, and here are the details:

We are calling on America's top truck drivers to haul heavy cargo across the country! Do you have what it takes to drive these over-sized cargoes through busy cities and winding country roads? We are challenging you to take on the responsibility of delivering these Special Transport cargoes!

Get into your mighty diesel beast, and show us that you’re the one who can successfully deliver these over sized cargoes safely to their destination. Manoeuvre your truck and trailer through the lands of American Truck Simulator’s base map and DLCs, but be cautious! Some of these deliveries may take you through challenging and narrow roads.

But you will not be alone on your journey! You will be escorted by a team of trained police and special vehicle escorts who will communicate and guide you throughout your journey. The drive may be tough, but if you drive with care and listen to your escort drivers advice, you will get these enormous cargoes to where they're needed safely.

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Frontier Developments announces a Secrets of Dr. Wu expansion is coming to Jurassic World Evolution on November 20th. This features BD Wong reprising his role as geneticist Dr. Henry Wu, and will add a new story to this sci-fi simulation along with additional dinosaurs and other new content. This trailer offers a look, and the announcement fills in further details, including word on an update coming to the base game alongside the add-on:

Frontier Developments plc today announced Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu DLC, coming 20 November for PC, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. Based on Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster franchise, and created in collaboration with Universal, Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu expands the Jurassic World Evolution campaign with new missions and an all-new Jurassic World story.

Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu unlocks new campaign missions, putting players in control of two hidden research facilities on Isla Muerta and Isla Tacaño where Dr. Henry Wu, voiced by BD Wong, is developing a new generation of hybrid dinosaurs. Players will confront an elevated level of chaos and threat caused by Wu’s machinations as they work alongside the doctor and discover new dig sites, facility upgrades and research opportunities.

Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu also introduces the herbivore Olorotitan and the venomous Troodon to Jurassic World Evolution, alongside three new Wu-created hybrids: the Stegoceratops, Ankylodocus and Spinoraptor. Players can progress through Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu missions to unlock new upgrades and research options that can be used throughout the Jurassic World Evolution campaign, including the Indominus Rex’s unique camouflage gene as seen in 2015’s Jurassic World.

New campaign missions unlock after players achieve a four-star rating on Isla Muerta. For full details on Jurassic World Evolution: Secrets of Dr. Wu content, visit JurassicWorldEvolution.com.

Also on November 20, all Jurassic World Evolution players will receive a free game update introducing an optional day/night cycle to the campaign, new dinosaur grouping and sleeping behaviours, new contracts and new large-capacity feeders.

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Tripwire Interactive announces a Twisted Christmas: Season’s Beatings Update is coming to Killing Floor 2 in early December, adding new holiday content to their shooter in what they are calling the "Busey-est update ever." The announcement includes news that explains their continued support of the game like this since its release, saying the game has now sold more than three million units. Here's more on how Busey looks to usurp Bill Bob Thorton's Bad Santa by being an even worse Santa:

Today’s announcement also follows exciting news that publisher and developer Tripwire Interactive has sold over three million units globally of Killing Floor 2 across all platforms since the title first launched in November, 2016. With roots in the modding community as winners of the Make Something Unreal 2004 competition with Red Orchestra, Tripwire Interactive continues to keep active players engaged while growing its player base with regular, significant updates and close communications with its community.

To celebrate this milestone, all Killing Floor 2 players can look forward to the gift of Gary Busey when the Killing Floor 2 – Twisted Christmas: Season’s Beatings update launches. Soon, Killing Floor 2 players can let Gary Busey advise them on weapon and gear purchases between rounds at the Free Trader station. Players interested in an advanced look at the Twisted Christmas: Season’s Beatings update are advised to keep an eye on the official Steam page for details on how to access the upcoming beta for the update soon.

Killing Floor 2 – Twisted Christmas: Season’s Beatings update key features include:

• New Badass Santa Playable Character and Trader voiced by Gary Busey
  • Wish your fellow players blood tidings and season’s beatings with the new purchasable playable Badass Santa character and complimentary Trader voice
• New Map: Santa’s Workshop
  • Beat back waves of zeds in this brand-new objective survival map
• New Map: Shopping Spree
  • Take a ride through this fan favorite community map
• Four New Weapons
  • Thompson – SWAT / Commando
  • Krampus Battle Axe – Berserker
  • M32 Grenade Launcher – Demolitionist
  • Fire Axe – Berserker
• The Return of Christmas Seasonal Zeds
  • Deck the halls with blood and monsters! This year’s winter update marks the return of zesty Christmas-themed zeds
• Road Redemption Exclusive Weapon: The Road Redeemer
  • This chained bat for the Berserker class will be available for players who own both Killing Floor 2 and Road Redemption on Steam,PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.

• 3030 Deathwar Redux - A Space Odyssey - The Latinum Shipyards Update.
• Prison Architect Multiplayer Alpha 3.

• ACA NEOGEO THRASH RALLY Is Now Available For Xbox One.
• Doodle God- Crime City Is Now Available For Xbox One And Windows 10 (Xbox Play Anywhere).
• The First Tree Is Now Available For Digital Pre-order And Pre-download On Xbox One.

• Netflix is making Altered Carbon and Pacific Rim animes.

• AMD’s Zen 2 CPUs could only have a year to live… if Zen 3 has its way.
• Micron Kicks Off Mass Production of 12 Gb LPDDR4X DRAM Chips.

• Windows 10 activation bug baffles, angers users.

• He Helped People Cheat at Grand Theft Auto. Then His Home Was Raided. Thanks j.c.f.
• Gab cries foul as Pennsylvania attorney general subpoenas DNS provider.

• Crayola Scoot on Christ Centered Gamer.

• Apacer Panther Rage DDR4 RGB 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM on Guru3D.
• Crucial P1 1TB SSD on AnandTech.
• MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Plus Motherboard on LanOC Reviews.
• NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Kit on Vortez.
• Razer Blade 15 (Kaby Lake-R) Laptop on TweakTown.

• Mass Effect's N7 armour will be available in Anthem…

The Internet went down in the BlueTower last night, something you never hear me complain about since the Fios service here is generally quite reliable. I came to the mistaken conclusion that I didn't have the proper USB C cable to tether my computer to my phone, which prompted a trip to Best Buy. This was when we learned they don't actually open until 10:00 am, so there was time to fit breakfast in along the way. And as I implied, it turns out I could have gotten things going without the trip to the store in the first place, but at least I'm online now with my $20 USB cable. Sorry about the delay this all caused.

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Media:	Postal Delivery Truck Off Road While Speeding. Dukes of Hazzard Delivery Service. Tom and Jerry. Sorry, Tom, that's no mouse. Swing away.