Ubisoft offers a "post launch update" for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the Viking action/adventure. This is two years in the making, as the game first launched on November 10, 2020. Today's post signals the end of the line for the game, saying the patch that it will receive on December 6th will be the final content update for the game. Word is: "This epilogue will tie up some of the storylines developed throughout the game and offer closure to your time among the Raven Clan." Along with this news of the conclusion of the game's storyline, is the unfortunate revelation that it will not be as replayable as hoped. This is because Ubisoft has determined that it will not be practical to implement the New Game+ mode for which players have clamored. On the other hand, the final update will allow players to keep their hoods up at all times. So, yay? Here's more on the decision about New Game+:

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has been built as a unique Assassin’s Creed experience, one that is very different from its predecessors in its structure, offering new ways of engaging with the world and its characters. When investigating the implementation of New Game+, we realized that the depth of the game gave us limited options to make replayability unique and rewarding.

We understand this news will come as a disappointment; however, we hope that the new content released in the past months, including never-before-seen experiences like Forgotten Saga, has provided an exciting and challenging experience for those seeking more replayable content.

PlanetSide 2 originally launched on November 20, 2012, and this update from Daybreak outlines all the festivities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MMOFPS sequel (thanks Dave). This includes an Ultimate Empire Showdown which will stream tomorrow, a double XP weekend that's currently underway, a 10th anniversary decal that's now in the Depot, and the launch of a new game mode called Capture the Conduit. As you may have already inferred, this is a thematic variant on the Capture the Flag formula. Here's more on how it works:

Each Conduit Outpost has at least one Podium and one Repository (or "Repo",) but some bases have more.

Podiums hold Conduits that attackers must steal from the defenders. Conduits can only be off a podium for a limited amount of time, and any captured Conduits respawn after a short delay.

Each outpost has a certain number of captures, referred to as "strikes," against a base before it's conquered by attackers. The faction that captures the last Conduit will conquer the base.

Sand Sailor Studio announces ASKA, an upcoming addition to the surprisingly crowded Viking-themed survival genre. You can keep up with the project through its Steam Listing. That says it's due next year, but a closed alpha test is planned for next week. It starts on November 24th, which is Thanksgiving here in the U.S., but not a thing elsewhere, including the developer's native Romania. Those interested in taking part should join the game's official Discord to sign up. Here's the ASKA Announcement Trailer and here are more details:

ASKA lets up to four players work together, commanding villagers and preparing their tribe for the ancient threat that winter will bring. This includes assigning jobs to villagers, constructing workshops, mines, farms and castles, exploring the world to discover hidden loot and resources, and fighting mythical enemies. Together, you will not just build a village, but a functioning society that you are a part of.

As you expand your tribe, you will have the ability to sail your own customisable viking ship and discover new lands in this fantastical procedurally generated world. Build outposts across these new lands and set up supply lines between settlements to transform your viking society from a village into an empire. Building a strong and stable society will give you a better chance of survival when Dead Winter hits and your tribe faces not only the harshest of elements, but the dark inhabitants of this world that have been lying in wait.

Continue here to read the full story.

League of Geeks announces Jumplight Odyssey, a starship adventure/simulation coming to PC Early Access via Steam in 2023. This roguelite is "inspired by genre staples" like RimWorld, and The Oregon Trail and "classic 70s sci-fi anime." It also seems to have a little Muppet Show to it, as it will also feature PIGS IN SPACE! The Official Reveal & Story Trailer offers a cinematic introduction. Here's more:

Take the helm of a Jumplight Starship as it flees its destroyed homeworld and lead your people to their salvation, the fabled Forever Star. Chart a course forward, jump to mysterious new systems, recruit crew members, and build out the ship’s interior while avoiding space pirate attacks, black holes, and the relentless pursuit of Admiral Voltan and the warmongering Zutopans in a roguelite colony sim inspired by genre staples and classic 70s sci-fi anime.

Keep an eye on the starship’s ever growing crew from an Incredible Cross Sections-inspired viewpoint, managing their needs to ensure Hope remains high. Observe deep social interactions as quirky crew members interact with their friends, lovers, and rivals on a daily basis. Witness meaningful, emergent moments as relationships develop, tragedies strike, and danger awaits on a starship stacked with stories.

Continue here to read the full story.

• Save 25% on Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak on Steam.

• Steam Beta Client Update - November 18th.
• Steam Deck Beta Client Update - November 18th.
• World of Warcraft — Hotfixes: November 18, 2022.

↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• Duke Nukem 3D Legacy Edition V1.2 is available for download.
• Cyberpunk 2077 gets a 4K Body Skin Texture Pack for all characters.

Content creator video.

• Firearms Expert Reacts To Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)’s Guns PART 2.

• Quake for Apple Watch.

Thanks Acleacius.

• Twitter death watch captivates millions.
• Elon Musk starts Twitter poll on whether to bring back Trump.
• An entire Pacific country will upload itself to the metaverse. It's a desperate plan – with a hidden message.
• What the world would lose with the demise of Twitter- Valuable eyewitness accounts and raw data on human behavior, as well as a habitat for trolls.
• Andrew Tate back on Twitter after Elon Musk lifts 5-year ban.

• Nvidia releases RTX 4090 and 4080 firmware update to fix display output bug.
• Magically Master Your Mouse Movement. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• It's Time to Make 3D TVs a Thing Again (may require registration or subscription). Tired, not Wired.

• Hive ransomware crooks extort $100m from 1,300 global orgs. Thanks DSLReports via Ant.

• FTX begins strategic review, seeks court relief to pay critical vendors.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2 Review Bombed on Steam.

• Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales review - PC Gamer.
• If you get one Spider-Man game on PC, get Marvel's Spider-Man- Miles Morales - Rock Paper Shotgun.
• Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales PC Tech Review - Ray Tracing Upgrades - Optimised Settings! - Digital Foundry (video).
• Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales PC is another stellar Sony port - Eurogamer.net.
• Spider-Man: Miles Morales PC GPU Testing — Upscaling for Everyone - Tom's Hardware.

• Case: Phanteks Eclipse G500A Performance Review - TechPowerUp.
• CPU Cooler: Alphacool Core Ocean T38 240 mm AIO Review - TechPowerUp.
• Headset: Focal Utopia (2022) Headphones Review - Beryllium Speaker Drivers! - TechPowerUp.
• Laptop: Framework Laptop 2 Review- An Upgradable Laptop - WIRED (may require registration or subscription). Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Monitor: AOC CU34G3S 34-inch Curved Gaming Monitor Review- High Contrast, Colorful and Capable - Tom's Hardware.

Happy 24th anniversary to Half-Life, as Valve's breakthrough first-person shooter launched on this date in 1998. Funny thing is that after all these years, they're still waiting for you Gordon... in the test chamber.

Resonance Cascade Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Brunch Links

• Susan Stamberg's cranberry relish recipe returns — with a trip to the archives. Thanks RedEye9.
• 'What shall we have for dinner-' Choice overload is a real problem, but these tips will make your life easier. Thanks Acleacius.
• Lost 8th-century Japanese medical text by Buddhist monk has been found.

Story

• Buffalo snow: Historic storm slams western New York with nearly 6 feet of snow. Please stay safe.

Science

• Artemis: Nasa expects humans to live on Moon this decade. NASA.
• Mars: how we discovered two huge, unusual impact craters – and the secrets they unveil. Thanks Acleacius.

Media

• The pure happiness in being reunited. I'm not crying, you're crying! Thanks VideoSift.
• Unboxing My 3D Printed Prosthetic Arm. Thanks Boing Boing.

Creature Features

• Smart polar bear is a bit too careful while moving over thin ice. Can't be too careful. Thanks Kxmode.

Follow-up

• Ending the climate crisis has one simple solution: Stop using fossil fuels. Thanks Acleacius.
• Pee-wee's Playhouse actor John Paragon laid to rest in a fitting urn, a "Jambi the Genie" Box. Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho!