Daybreak Games announces a new release window for PlanetSide Arena, saying this is now due this summer (thanks Polygon). This large-scale battle royale game was announced for release on January 29th, but four days before that deadline the game was delayed until February 20th. Now with four days to go (we're beginning to detect a pattern here), they announce this latest setback, saying they plan on a simultaneous launch on PC and PlayStation 4. They are also refunding all Steam preorders, which will restore some goodwill, and is possibly a signal that the game will actually be free-to-play. Here's word:

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Closed Beta these past few weeks. Your suggestions have been crucial in providing our team with direct and meaningful gameplay feedback. We can’t even begin to express our appreciation for all of the time and effort you’ve spent helping us test and improve the game.

After much consideration, we’ve decided to postpone the current PC-only release date and launch simultaneously across PC and PlayStation 4 this summer. We’ve always envisioned PlanetSide Arena as a way for players to experience the epic gameplay of the PlanetSide universe, through fast-paced, combined arms combat and massive-scale multiplayer modes. We believe that delivering the most polished version of PlanetSide Arena that meets these expectations, on both platforms, outweighs any other consideration.

In light of our revised launch plan, we are refunding all Planetside Arena pre-orders. We’re committed to continuing and expanding our Beta testing program as we ramp-up for our multi-platform launch this Summer and will share more details soon. You can visit Steam for more information on refunds.

Thank you all again for your amazing support. We’re very excited about the future and can’t wait see everyone back in the Arena!

The Apex Legends subreddit has word from Respawn on just how many players they've struck with the banhammer since the launch of their free-to-play battle royale game (thanks Eurogamer.net). Did you guess they've banned dozens? You're cold. Hundreds? You're still cold. Thousands? You're getting warmer:

As of today over 16,000 cheaters have been identified and banned from the game. Cheaters suck. If you run into one, please try and capture the evidence and let us know here: https://www.easy.ac/en-us/support/apexlegends/contact/report/

Even if you don’t get proof, get their ID and flag it and we can investigate the account. We have heard your feedback about a report feature in the game. I’ll just say that’s a very good idea :)

SNOW is now out of Early Access after its official launch on Steam, offering the full version of this open world wintersports simulation for Windows. The game is free-to-play, but there's also an Ultimate Edition that permanently unlocks all the major content for the game, and this is on sale for 35% off to celebrate the launch. The version 1.0.0 launch trailer accompanies the release, showing off gameplay and the game's CryEngine graphics. Here's more:

In SNOW, players can explore a massive mountain on snowboard, skis and snowmobile, customize characters with clothing and equipment, and compete in thrilling events. Players can explore the snowy landscape online with friends, too. The game was developed by Poppermost and WastedStudios, who also ported the game to CRYENGINE 5.5.2.

Players who download the free-to-play version get access to: walking, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling; Tyro Valley (the beginners' mountain); X Games 2016; a seven-day ski pass for Sialia (unlocked by completing Tyro Valley); and the ability to purchase credits or cosmetic items. The "Ultimate Edition"—offered as DLC—includes access to all mountains, tracks and events, plus all available cosmetics, including skis, snowboards, drones, snowmobiles and mountain props.

New sights await players on all of the game’s mountain ranges. In free-to-play, players can unlock 19 new sightseeing locations, and in the "Ultimate Edition," players can unlock 47. There are also collectables scattered across each of the game’s mountains just waiting to be found. In free-to-play, there are 39 collectables, and in the "Ultimate Edition," there are 90. The "Ultimate Edition" now also offers an all new Mountain: X Games Aspen 2018. Players who have previously spent five dollars/euros or more in-game in the past will receive the "Ultimate Edition" DLC shortly after launch.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Dota 2 Update - February 15th, 2019.
• Fortnite - We’ve just released a client update for PC to improve stability.

• Team Fortress 2 New RGL.gg League.

• Roguelite Action/RPG Unexplored: Unlocked Edition Journeys To PS4 February 19.
• The Drop: New PlayStation Games for February 19, 2019.

• After outrage over Chrome ad-block block plan, Google backs away from crippling web advert, content filters.

• Intel Details New 9th Gen CPUs for Notebooks- i9-9980HK to i5-9300H.
• Newegg Lists ASUS ROG Dominus Extreme Motherboard, More Xeon CPUs Supported.
• ThermalTake Commander C Series Cases Announced. Thanks Hypothermia.
• Samsung Quits 4K Blu-ray Player Market. Thanks Reddit via Ant.

Thanks Ant.

• Behold, the Facebook phishing scam that could dupe even vigilant users.
• Five emerging cybersecurity threats you should take very seriously in 2019.
• Thousands of Android apps permanently record your online activity for ad targeting.

• Apex Legends on PCGamesN.
• Crackdown 3 on IGN and PC Gamer.
• Far Cry New Dawn PC graphics performance benchmark review on Guru3D.
• Metro Exodus on GameSpot.
• Metro Exodus Ray Tracing Benchmarked on TechSpot.
• Resident Evil 2 Remake on TweakTown.
• Tangledeep on Parallax Abstraction.

• GeIL Super Luce RGB Sync DDR4-3200 16GB Memory Kit on TweakTown.
• Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard on TechPowerUp.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Laptop on Tech ARP.
• Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM Fan on TechPowerUp.
• Tesoro Gram MX ONE Keyboard on APH Networks.

• Activision Blizzard layoffs: What the hell happened?…
• Apex Legends: The Most Wanted Tips, Tricks and Secrets…
• Jablinski Games: Ninja responded…

A couple of days out from our visit to the veterinarian, we are completely confident the giardia infection diagnosis for the Gunnar-man was accurate. Our poodle pal has his energy and appetite back, seems to be tolerating his heavy dose of antibiotics well, and, thankfully has had no further explosive diarrhea incidents. Gunnar is quite far from a spring chicken, so any downturn in his health is cause for great concern, so him getting back to his old self is a tremendous relief. I asked here for positive thoughts, so thanks to all who helped with the magical side of this process.

R.I.P.: Bruno Ganz, Star of ‘Downfall’ and ‘Wings of Desire,’ Dies at 77.

Cured Links:	Thanks Ant.
Stories:	"Dune," Bond 25 & "Fast 9" Set New Dates.
Science:	Study: Daily diet drinks linked to strokes, heart attacks, and early death.
Media:	Freeman's Mind Animated: Modern Major General. NSFW. A Beautiful Day At Nazare. I - am - an - F B I - agent (NSFW)! Rapping 1000 Words in 2 Minutes. NSFW?
Follow-up:	Man Who Suffocated An Attacking Mountain Lion Describes Fight For His Life. Thanks RedEye9. Washington state House committee passes bill to ban personal, philosophical vaccine exemptions. 'My battery is low and it's getting dark'- Mars rover Opportunity's last message to scientists. *Sniff*.
The Funnies:	Rovers. Thanks RedEye9.