It’s that time of year again. 2013 is almost upon us and promises to be a great year. Well, that is if the Mayan prediction was not accurate enough and the world doesn’t end tomorrow (though we all know that we’ll be just fine and nothing ‘bad’ will happen). So, our dear readers, we’re presenting you our Top10 most optimized PC games of 2012. Before starting, let us tell you that our Top10 is based on those games’ performance under DX9 and DX10. DX11 did not take off in 2012, and that’s why we did not focus on it. However, our GTX690 will serve us well in 2013, so rest assured that our upcoming Performance Analyses will also cover this API. Continue reading Top 10 PC Optimized Games of 2012→
Ah, Syndicate. A title with so much potential that turned into a generic FPS with ‘nuclear explosion-ish’ lighting effects. In fact, this is the most memorable thing about the FPS adaptation of the legendary strategy game. Ironically, Starbreeze’s CEO has not been satisfied with it too, although he then admitted that he was happy with what his company had managed to achieve. Continue reading Starbreeze’s CEO is not satisfied, but still happy with Syndicate; never played the game→
Let me start by saying that Starbreeze is a talented studio. After the amazing Chronicles of Riddick and the first Darkness game, we were expecting big things from them. However, something is really off with their latest games. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena was not something special and Syndicate feels like a generic FPS that basically mixes Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s style and FEAR’s combat mechanics. But we are not here to judge its gameplay. And ironically, although the game feels like a big let down, its game engine is awesome and performs great on the PC. Continue reading Syndicate PC Performance Analysis→
We’re preparing a Performance Analysis for Syndicate but let’s get one thing straight; the bloom effects are overdone and there is no way to disable them. Seriously, my eyes hurt after watching some of the in-game screenshots that I’ve captured and that says a lot. Starbreeze went nuts with it and luckily for you, there is a temporary workaround to get rid of those flashy gimmick effects. Continue reading Syndicate – Bloom Fix Workaround; official patch might address it→
This is too good to pass by. Reddit’s user MikkelManDK has spotted a nice surprise inside the installation folder of Syndicate PC. It seems that Starbreeze decided to include a .nfo file as an easter egg that is addressed to the PC piracy scene. In case you are unaware of, most scene groups place a .nfo file in their releases with installation instructions. Starbreeze went ahead and placed a similar file into Syndicate’s folder (SBZ.nfo and SBZ stands for StarBreeZe) with proper instruction in how you can install and play the game. Great find MikkelManDK! Continue reading Syndicate PC features an amazing easter egg, addressed to the PC gaming piracy scene→
If there is one thing we hate in the gaming industry, that’s definitely when publishers are pushing developers hard to hit their deadlines. Publishers should give developers the freedom to create whatever they have in mind, otherwise the end result could turn out to be mediocre, unpolished and horribly rushed out. And it seems that the new Syndicate could suffer from a rushed development as the game’s lead co-op programmer, Lars Magnus Lang, admitted that the company could actually done more if they were given an extra six months. Continue reading Starbreeze admits that it wanted more time with Syndicate, still proud of the end result→
Electronic Arts has just released the launch trailer of Syndicate. Set in 2069, Syndicate takes players into a dark, Machiavellian world run without government oversight with many syndicates vying for total dominance of their local market place. Syndicate blends fast-paced, futuristic, action shooter settings and story – combined with innovative chip breach gameplay – and promises to immerse players in a unique digital world. The game is slated for a February 24th release on current generation consoles and PC! Continue reading Syndicate gets Launch Trailer→
Our dear friends at PCGamesHardware had the chance to interview Starbreeze and found out some juicy tech details about the upcoming Syndicate game. According to the company, Syndicate uses an advanced and evolved in-house engine, that comes with a global illumination solution and an optimized postprocessing pipeline. Sadly though, Syndicate won’t support the DX10 or DX11 API’s. And there is no need to point your gun to Starbreeze, as this is what we’ve expected. Syndicate is a multi-platform game (therefore it’s built on DX9 by default) and as we’ve said in the past, a proper DX11 game needs to be built from the get-go with that API in mind. Continue reading PC version of Syndicate won’t support DX10/11; multi-core CPUs will be better supported→
Look and behold at what is right now available on Good Old Games. Yeap, the classic Syndicate game has returned and is priced at only $5.99 USD. As with all games that are available on GOG, Syndicate is compatible with both Windows XP and Windows Vista/7 and features more than 50 missions that include extraction, extermination, and (forced) persuasion, all on fully destructible levels. Continue reading Classic Syndicate is now available on Good Old Games→
Electronic Arts released today a brand new gameplay footage of Starbreeze’s upcoming FPS game that will be based on one of the most legendary PC series, Syndicate. This trailes shows off the game co-op mode, where an elite squad of 4 Agents can work cooperatively. Syndicate is currently slated for a 2012 release on the PC and current generation consoles. Enjoy! Continue reading Syndicate – Deep-Dive: Co-Op Trailer→
