Axlerod

Game Mode is coming to Windows 10 — here's what it does, and how it works! BY JEZ CORDEN Wednesday, Jan 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm EST Game Mode for Windows 10 showed up in a recent Windows Insider build as a checkbox you can enable and disable, but what does it do exactly? We've written about Game Mode for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) before, but now we have the full rundown — directly from Microsoft — on how this new system feature works. In a discussion with Kevin Gammill of the Xbox Platform team, we learned that Game Mode is a new system feature for Windows 10 that focuses your GPU and CPU on a Game Mode-enabled process. The goal behind Game Mode is consistency, rather than flat performance boosts (although it will bring some of that too). Game Mode will prevent system tasks from stealing resources from your games, making frame rates and performance generally more consistent. You should see fewer dropped frames as a result of Game Mode, specifically during scenes and situations that are more intensive on your system's hardware. Game Mode will also limit CPU thread contention between your games and existing system processes, helping to speed things up even further. The concepts behind Game Mode are already available on Xbox One, which gives games priority access to system resources. Enabling Game Mode will be as simple as flipping a switch via the Xbox Game Bar, found on Windows 10 by pressing the Windows key and G. Windows 10 will remember which games have Game Mode enabled until you turn it off. Microsoft told me that while Win32 PC games (typical of Steam) will see some benefits from Game Mode, it will be UWP games (typical of the Windows 10 Store) that see the biggest improvements. This is because the UWP environment is a little more standardized than Win32, and Microsoft can more easily optimize the feature as a result. Microsoft is working with their hardware partners, including Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA, to make sure Game Mode is as good as it can be, optimizing for the most popular hardware configurations available. Game Mode will be enabled by default for certain games that have undergone thorough testing. So expect first-party UWP games such as Halo Wars 2 and Forza Horizon 3 to leverage Game Mode out of the box. I asked Microsoft to describe a scenario where you might want to disable Game Mode, and the engineer noted a situation where he wanted to continue rendering at high-speed in Adobe Lightroom in the background, while still enjoying Diablo 3 in the foreground. To that end, it's good that Microsoft is providing players with the option to disable Game Mode manually for those rigs capable of intensive multi-tasking. Speaking of multi-tasking, I also asked to what extent Game Mode would degrade your system while enabled. For now, notifications will still pop, Cortana and other important Windows features you expect to work will still run. Microsoft is still iterating on just how much of your system it will impede when Game Mode ships fully this spring with the Windows 10 Creators Update. That said, Game Mode will dynamically disable itself when you minimize or set your game into the background, giving your system full access to your hardware while you begin multi-tasking. This is similar to how the Xbox One works today. It sounds as though Game Mode will generally be a seamless experience for those who utilize it. I asked about "Game Mode enabled Universal Windows Apps,"(a phrase that appeared in earlier documentation), and was told that developers won't have to do anything to support Game Mode in their games, as it will be enabled by default at a system level. However, Microsoft is exploring ways developers can further leverage Game Mode for their games to bring additional benefits down the line. The first version of Game Mode will appear in Build 15019 on the Windows 10 Fast Ring, with further improvements already running on internal builds ready for the coming weeks. We'll be doing some thorough testing on Game Mode shortly, so stay tuned for information on how much you can expect it to boost performance!

Very nice info there.

Did you make sure your wireless card was turned off? I would take it out if you can.

WOW they really called out SWBF and several others games. Bottom line, bring back punkbuster and let PB and fair Fight do their jobs. If they catch a player, perma ban them. Let them buy a new game. Temp ban the whole account for a year. That is the bigger issue with these games. There are no consequences if they do get caught. A 1 week suspension is obviously not working.

I still have and use my Logitech M570 thumb trackball.

I am running the G900 by logitech. no complaints or issues other than is is not a thumb trackball which I still have and use.

Those looking forward to Star Trek Discovery’s promised streaming debut in May will have to wait even longer. According to the The Hollywood Reporter, the premiere has been pushed back right as production is due to start and CBS finishes casting and script rewrites. "This is an ambitious project; we will be flexible on a launch date if it's best for the show,” a CBS rep said in a statement. “We've said from the beginning it's more important to do this right than to do it fast. There is also added flexibility presenting on CBS All Access, which isn't beholden to seasonal premieres or launch windows." “THIS IS AN AMBITIOUS SERIES.” The 13-episode Discovery was originally slated to premiere this month on CBS, but was pushed back to allow the producers to better “achieve a vision” fans of the franchise would appreciate. Since then, however, the series has been dogged by a slow casting process, as well as the departure of former showrunner Bryan Fuller. Nevertheless, the series is still forging ahead. CBS Television today announced that Gotham and True Blood star James Frain has joined the cast as Sarek, the father of Spock. He’ll work alongside The Walking Dead’s Sonequa Martin-Green, who was recently cast as the series lead, as well as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Michelle Yeoh, who will play a Starfleet captain. All told, there’s a great deal to be excited about with this series. It’s just completely uncertain when it will actually hit our screens. http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/18/14313432/star-trek-discovery-delay-cbs-all-access-no-release-date

Yeah I have been waiting on someone I know to buy one and give a review of it.

This was confirmed. I guess everyone deals at bullboy.com these days. I am sure it is for some sort of testing. For BF1 I am going to get the lifetime subscription! Bullboy, do you give discounts?

Currently BF1 online players PC: 54,835 (24h peak: 65,045) Currently BF4 online players PC: 17,327 Peak (24h: 19,901) Over the holidays,BF4 got down to 6K players online. Last week, it came up to 8K. When BF1 came out, BF4 would have around 22K on PC playing. In the meanwhile, since the holiday break has been holding steady but is not where BF4 was after 3 months of release.

This is what worries me. If what is being said is true, it will have taken DICE 6 months from the launch of BF1 to get RSP going properly. 6 months in most videos life if forever. Most are dead after 6 months. BF1 is a great game but it should not have been released until RSP was corrected. DICE has a lot riding on the SPring DLC patch due in March. If they fail there, then the game is dead.

http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/servers/show/pc/3e131a59-c99d-4e42-94c1-e8c6deffe3e3/ If you want to admin it: You need to play in it You actually need to admin it You need to seed it to get it started You need to be on teamspeak while playing in the server If you can not take time to do that, then you really don't need to be an admin.

Hey Everyone, You may have recently come across an article or heard from other members of the community about Fair Fight banning players who are “too good” at Battlefield 1. Let us be clear here… we won’t ban anyone from Battlefield 1 for being “too good.” We may be jealous of your skills, but we’re not that jealous. Our Fair Fight anti-cheat system is there to keep the game fair for everyone. If anyone thinks that Fair Fight has wrongfully banned them, then please do contact us at http://help.ea.com. We look at every claim, and if we find something has been done in error, we will address it. And, if we do find that you were banned for being “too damn good at Battlefield 1”, well you’ve got some serious bragging rights – can we be on your squad? We’ll bring the Squad XP Boost. Thanks for your patience and understanding! Alexander Hassoon, and the teams at EA and DICE https://forums.battlefield.com/en-us/discussion/81478/battlefield-1-fair-fight-anti-cheat-system#latest

Oh you have to watch this movie. It is pretty good. PM me for a link. Kind of Star Wars meets Independence Day.

February or March???

Yeah I read the kotako article.I laughed about it. They talked about a guy going like 200:8 KDR in a round. Watch out guys, if your ave KDR is 100:1 or higher like the whiners in the article, you are going to get banned. In case you did not know it, punkbuster is gone. You can run any hack you like and it is not detected. Fairfight uses algorithms to pick out cheaters. When they do, they get a 1 week ban for the first offense. Also, the cheats are free. You can cancel your subscription to bullboy.com.

Thanks for the heads up. I will check when I get home tonight.

A simple solution for those who like to use the VOX (voice activated) feature on TeamSpeak, but also like to use the "in-game" VOIP (Instructions originally created by @Axlerod ): Step 1: MUTE 1) Click on Tools > Options > Hotkeys > Add 2) Double click on "Microphone" and select "Toggle Microphone Mute" 3) Select "On Key Down" (at top) 4) Select your Game VOIP key as your Hotkey and click "Apply" Step 2: UNMUTE 1) Repeat Steps 1-3, except this time make sure "On Key Up" is marked 2) Select your Game VOIP key for your Hotkey and select "Apply"

RSP 2.0 coming in March

Battlefield 1's Next Custom Game Announced, Update Planned for February The first new Custom Game of 2017 is called Bleed Out. DICE has announced what's coming up for Battlefield 1 later this month and in February. In a blog post today, https://www.battlefield.com/news/article/the-road-ahead-jan-2017 DICE started off by revealing a new Custom Game, Bleed Out, will arrive on January 18. It's a version of Rush where downed soldiers die faster; also, there is no health regeneration. This is just the latest new Custom Game for Battlefield 1, as DICE has regularly released new ones since Battlefield 1's launch in October. Next month, a new update for Battlefield 1 will come out. DICE is saving specifics for later, but teased that it will contain "gameplay improvements" derived from its own testing and fan feedback. The studio previously discussed a series of features that could come to the game's rented servers, though it remains to be seen if these may be addressed in the February update. Battlefield 1 has already received substantial updates. They have added things like significant map changes, weapon and item balance changes, and a free DLC map called Giant's Shadow. Lastly, DICE reminded fans that Battlefield 1's They Shall Not Pass expansion is coming out in March. We know it will add four maps, but the studio has kept quiet on what else it introduces. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/battlefield-1s-next-custom-game-announced-update-p/1100-6446664/ Also by March DLC, improvements to Rental Server Program is expected if not before.

The minimum spec: OS: 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Processor (AMD): AMD FX-6350 Processor (Intel): Core i5 6600K Memory: 8GB RAM Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB Graphics card (Nvidia): Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 2GB DirectX: 11.0 Compatible video card or equivalent Online Connection Requirements: 512 KBPS or faster Internet connection Hard-drive space: 50GB The recommended spec: OS: 64-bit Windows 10 or later Processor (AMD): AMD FX 8350 Wraith Processor (Intel): Intel Core i7 4790 or equivalent Memory: 16GB RAM Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB Graphics card (Nvidia): Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB DirectX: 11.1 Compatible video card or equivalent Online Connection Requirements: 512 KBPS or faster Internet connection Available Disk Space: 50GB Running wireless will also cause issues.

Yeah there are tons of complaints because no one can play them.

They have been bringing out a monthly game modes. More skins wow... Ali is suppose to be back to work today so I hope we hear more SOON. I am not expecting RSP love until March DLC. I really hope is gets done sooner but I just can't get my hopes up.

http://streamingtvguides.com/ Great TV guide for online TV. By the way, Jan 9th is the last day for the $35 promo for Directv Now that gets you 102 channels. AT&T Is Ending DirecTV Now $35 Monthly Pricing for 100-Channel Bundle In October, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson vowed that DirecTV Now would disrupt the pay-TV biz with revolutionary pricing: The internet-streaming service would launch for a mere $35 per month for a package with more than 100 channels, dramatically undercutting other TV bundles. Turns out, the theatrical flourish was a very limited-time promo offer. This week, AT&T revealed that the $35 monthly introductory offer for the DirecTV Now “Go Big” package will end Jan. 9, 2017 — less than six weeks after the telco launched the over-the-top package. After Jan. 9, new subscribers who sign up for DirecTV Now’s Go Big tier with after Jan. 9 will pay $60 per month. Existing subs will continue to pay the $35-per-month rate for now, but the company also said the fees may increase at some future date. In addition, “channels, features, and terms (are) subject to change & may be discontinued without notice,” AT&T said in a notice on the DirecTV Now website. DirecTV Now Debuts, Reveals Full Channel Lineups DirecTV Now bundles start at $35 monthly for the “Live a Little” package with 64 channels (plus local stations where available), and range up to the top-tier “Gotta Have It” package with up to 130 channels for $70 per month. Cord-cutters and “cord-never” consumers are expected to gravitate to the entry-level package — which analysts say AT&T appears to be offering at negative net margin. Local channels on DirecTV Now are available for only select markets from ABC, NBC, Fox and Telemundo, where the broadcasters have owned-and-operated stations. AT&T says that where it does not offer local broadcast channels, it provides day-after-air primetime shows on-demand. Subscribers can add HBO and Cinemax for a limited-time promo price of $5 each to any DirecTV Now package. In addition, regional sports networks including those from Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports Networks, YES Network are available in only specific markets (and only in the $50-per-month or higher tiers). CBS is currently not available, though AT&T says it is in talks with the broadcaster about including CBS and Showtime. AT&T Unveils DirecTV Now and Sets Channel Pacts With Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon DirecTV Now initially is available to stream on Apple TV (fourth generation), Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick TV, Google Chromecast, iPad and iPhone, Android 4.4 and later, and Internet Explorer 11 (on Windows 8 and later), Chrome version 50 and later, and Safari 8 and later. The service is limited to two simultaneous streams per account, which AT&T said is designed to ensure it delivers the highest-quality video possible to devices in the home. AT&T recommends DirecTV Now customers have broadband connection speeds of 2.5 to 5 Mbps per stream for HD quality, while it recommends 150 Kbps to 2.5 Mbps broadband connection speeds for mobile devices. The service also offers more than 15,000 TV episodes and movies on-demand. DirecTV Now does not include DVR functions, which are slated to be introduced in 2017, but it does include a 72-hour “catch-up” VOD feature for programming on many channels. DirecTV Now is available in the U.S., but not in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Users are unable to access the service outside the United States. As an incentive for AT&T wireless customers to sign up for DirecTV Now, the telco does not count the OTT service’s streaming video toward monthly data usage. The FCC’s wireless bureau issued letters to both AT&T and Verizon asserting that such “zero-rated” services are anticompetitive and violate the agency’s network neutrality rules — a charge both telco giants have refuted.

Nobody was playing in it. We would have 10 guys on TS playing bf4 but none in our alliance server. Kind of hard to justify the expense if no one wants to play in it. Nobody wants to start the server, I get that. Since nobody wants to start it then how do you get it going? See the issue with paying $80 for a server that no one wants to start. My days of getting it started are over. Somebody else will have to step up for that. After the previous 2 months, it looks like no one wants the trouble of getting the server going.