The full launch of ARC Raiders, originally announced for 2022, will come next year on PC, consoles, and GeForce NOW, Embark Studios announces. Before then, a new Tech Test for the third-person shooter will begin in October. This seems to be different from the current alpha test, but it uses the same signup link on Steam, which is still live. The Gamescom 2024 Teaser Trailer has the latest look at the game. Capping off the announcement is news that the PvPvE game is dropping the planned free-to-play business model, and will launch as a premium title:

You may recall that ARC Raiders was announced as a free-to-play game. Today, we announced that ARC Raiders will be released as a $40 premium title. There are many reasons for this change, and they all boil down to our conviction that a premium business model is a better fit for the type of game we’re building. A premium model allows us to create a more focused, balanced, and engaging action-survival experience.

Continue here to read the full story.

NetEase Games announces closed beta testing commences in October for FragPunk, the upcoming 5v5 hero shooter for Windows and Xbox. PC gamers can register right now on Steam while the console beta will be offered to Xbox Insiders. Word is: "The test will feature an array of new and improved features, including heroes, cards and modes, with more details on the new content coming later in September. It will also be the first time the game is available on Xbox, with cross-play allowing players of both platforms to compete with each other." Here's a Closed Beta in Early October Trailer with a super-perky narration that will put you in the perfect mood to shoot something. Here's a description of the game:

FragPunk is a fast-paced 5v5 hero shooter with powerup cards that change the rules of each round! Choose your hero, your weapons, and pick from a selection of cards that dramatically change the rules of engagement!

No two rounds of FragPunk are ever the same. Discover over 70 Shard Cards with an activatable selection that changes every round creating new and unique combinations that create infinite possibilities! Cards can amplify your jump height, reverse the roles of attackers and defenders, engulf your bullets in flame or turn them into chain lightning, and even may resurrect you and your team!

Continue here to read the full story.

Intel Support now features a new version 32.0.101.5972 (WHQL Certified) Windows driver for Intel Arc and Iris graphics. These bring additional support for four new or upcoming releases:

Intel® Game On Driver support on Intel® Arc™ A-series Graphics GPUs and Intel® Core™ Ultra with built-in Intel® Arc™ GPUs for:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Beta
• SMITE 2
• Star Wars Outlaws
• Visions of Mana

• Resident Evil: Decades of Horror - Village Gold (pay what you want and help charity).*

*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.

• PlayStation’s ‘Concord’ Did Not Break 700 Players On Steam On Launch Day - Forbes.

• World of Warcraft Hotfixes: August 23, 2024.

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

• Super Mario and the Rainbow Stars is a free Mario game for PC - DSOGaming.

• A Prominent Accessibility Advocate Worked With Studios and Inspired Change. But She Never Actually Existed. - IGN.

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard - High-Level Combat Parts 1-4.
• Harry Potter- Quidditch Champions - Official Trailer - “Magic is in the Air.”

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• Bloodborne PC Big Progress (Some New Areas Are Fully Rendered Now) - ShadPS4 v0.2.1 - Unlocked FPS. Thanks Reddit.
• Firearms Expert Reacts to Fallout- London's Guns PART 2 - GameSpot.

• Google Wallet now works for California driver’s licenses - The Verge.

• Microsoft is bringing annoying Windows 11 Start menu ads to Windows 10 - Neowin.
• Trump promotes family's new crypto platform, 'The Defiant Ones' - CNBC. Thanks Matthew.

• Scammers are increasingly using messaging and social media apps to attack - ZDNET.

• Headset/Earbuds: Meze Audio 109 PRO Wooden Open-Back Headphones - Nikk Tech.
• Mouse: Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed Review - TechPowerUp.

The situation with our deck has become a bit of a circus. MrsBlue thought the stain being applied yesterday looked too light, and called to ask about it. The company owner reassured her it was right, but when he saw it for himself he admitted it wasn't. So the guys showed up first thing to re-do it. But the new stain (seems more like paint) is even lighter, when we think it should be darker. We spoke to him again and he's sure it's right, so we'll just see how this unfolds. Getting the correct shade is an HOA thing, and it should be easier than this to pin down, but here we are. He's promised to re-do it yet again if it turns out to be a problem, so we'll try not to stress it. It doesn't seem like there's anybody around here paying that much attention to these things, so I imagine it should be fine.

Decked-out Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Stories

• US pilot who took magic mushrooms and tried to cut engines says behavior ‘unfathomable’ - US news - The Guardian.
• US Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost - AP News.
• Legislation aims to protect pedestrians from big vehicles - NPR. Thanks RedEye9.

Science

• Bug sprays don't work against cockroaches, study finds. Here's what to do instead - Salon.com.
• Chinese scientists use lunar soil to produce water, state media reports - NBC News.

Media

• Ordering from Amazon: They're not the ones delivering your package. Thanks The Flying Penguin.

Follow-ups

• NASA's long-awaited decision on Starliner astronauts' return is imminent - NPR. Thanks RedEye9.
• Mike Lynch yacht sinking latest: Five bodies found in same cabin as manslaughter investigation launched - The Independent.