Gaming
Long War 2 Mod Available Now for XCOM 2
2K and Firaxis Games have announced that Long War 2, the mod for XCOM 2 on PC from Pavonis Interactive, is now available from Steam Workshop. Pavonis Interactive, the creators of the Long War mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within have been hard at work on its successor for XCOM 2.
The Long War 2 mod presents a series of changes to the game’s campaign including the introduction of new tactical mission scenarios like Jailbreak, the Technical class for your XCOM soldiers, and more varied counter-operations from ADVENT forces.
Here’s a tête-à-tête with John Lumpkin, the design lead and managing partner at Pavonis Interactive:
Can you tell us what your exact position at Pavonis Interactive is?
We got to make up our own titles. I’m the design lead. Also a managing partner. And public relations coordinator. And rookie-killing sadist.
How did Pavonis Interactive form?
Its informal beginning was when my partner Rachel “Amineri” Norman contacted me in early 2013 with some suggestions on how to dig into XCOM: Enemy Unknown’s code to make grenades a little less reliable. We started modding EU and then EW together with the help of several other talented programmers. We formed Long War Studios as a company as we got to work on our own title and shortly before signing a contract to develop the release-day mods for XCOM 2. With the release of Long War 2, we are rechristening our company Pavonis Interactive to capture that our future work will range beyond modding XCOM and toward developing our own independent titles. “Long War” will be indelibly linked with XCOM.
What are you and your team most proud of in Long War 2?
We think we’ve recreated a lot of the “Long War” feel in the XCOM 2 engine, although we tried to peg full campaigns at around 100 to 120 missions, which isn’t quite as many as the original.
Can you briefly describe how you’ve changed the Strategy Layer?
We’ve made a lot of changes. ADVENT now has a certain strength in each region on Earth, and it will move troops around in response to XCOM activity. This strength will determine how hard missions will be. This encourages XCOM to build a global Resistance and strike where ADVENT is weakest, just as a proper insurgency should.
In addition, in each region you’ve made contact with, you assign Resistance members to various jobs in a Haven: scavenging supplies, recruiting more rebels and soldiers, or gathering intelligence to generate missions. Many missions have set durations, and you must send a squad to infiltrate the target site over several days. The longer you infiltrate, the fewer enemies you will face, but larger squads need more time to sneak into the mission area.
Finally, it is now possible to liberate regions entirely from ADVENT control. Doing so will grant bonuses in resource gathering and more importantly trigger the AVATAR plot missions, but ADVENT will try to take them back.
How did you conceptualize and execute on these changes? Did you always have a vision in mind or is it something you guys stumbled upon by testing out different mechanics?
The general ideas of a hit-and-run insurgency and having mission difficulty scale both with strategic conditions as well as squad size are things we’ve had from the start. The general idea behind the infiltration mechanic was to replace our fatigue mechanic from the original Long War – we want to tie up your soldiers and force you to develop a deeper roster, and frankly the infiltration mechanic works better narratively than fatigue to fulfill this purpose, especially in a guerrilla war narrative. We also wanted to make squad size something organically determined rather than a straight set of upgrades you acquire over a campaign. Now, the extra flexibility provided by bringing 10 soldiers on a mission has costs, so it’s ultimately up to the player to decide how they want to take on a mission.
In your own words, can you briefly describe how you’ve changed the Tactical Mission gameplay?
We’ve implemented, and in many cases improved on, most of the content from our prior mods. We’ve also added an additional soldier class, the Technical, who can specialize in either the rocket launcher or flamethrower wrist weapons, which are available from the start. Each of our new classes has its own secondary weapon: The Sharpshooter has a holo-targeter, the Ranger a sawed-off shotgun, the Assault an arc thrower, and the Gunner a combat knife for self-defense. (We’re allowing all classes to equip pistols.) In addition, we’ve reworked the AWC bonus perk system to give each soldier a randomized mini-tree of offensive, defensive and pistol perks they can train, but they have to spend several days in the training tube to acquire the additional abilities.
We’ve added several mission types – ambushing a troop column, attacking an ADVENT military base, and rescuing multiple rebels from a jail, to name a few. We did try to add more pitched battles alongside the timed missions.
We’ve also made officers more integral to tactical play. They have the Command ability from Long War; they also provide bonuses to soldiers whom they have been on several missions with, and they have the ability to spend the intel resource to extend the timers on timed missions.
What else? All of Alien Pack is in there, plus some new ADVENT bad guys, sometimes in pods of up to eight enemies. Uncontacted enemy pods will now behave differently, sometimes trying to flank your squad or moving to defend the objective. The Skyranger now takes several turns to arrive when you throw the flare.
Which of the new mission types is your favorite and why?
Probably a toss-up between our alternate Haven defense mission, in which you have to defend an extraction zone in the center of the map while holding off increasingly strong Alien reinforcements and rescuing your rebels, and the invasion, when ADVENT tries to re-take a region. It functions something like a retaliation mission, but in a city.
What are you and the team most proud of in your changes to the Tactical gameplay?
I polled our playtesters, led by the illustrious Tim “Bilfdoffle” Evans, and they offered the following:
- The AWC/officer perks creating unique soldiers
- Corpse reanimation by unactivated sectoids
- Yellow alert and pod job mechanics
- The coil cannon
- All the new missions
- Changes to evac timer and meta around stealthier missions/
- Controlling Rebels and Civs
- Defending the Evac
- The new Arc Thrower
Gaming
Steam Revamps Game Purchases
Steam has taken a proactive step to inform users that purchasing games on its platform grants a license rather than outright ownership. This move aligns with a new California law that will require digital storefronts to disclose the true nature of digital game purchases.
While digital games offer convenience, they have always been subject to the terms and conditions set by the game publishers. This can lead to situations where access to games can be revoked, as demonstrated by Ubisoft’s removal of The Crew last year.
The new California law aims to increase transparency for consumers by preventing storefronts from using misleading terms like “buy” or “purchase” without clarifying that they are acquiring a license. Steam has already implemented this change, informing users in their shopping carts that purchases grant a license.
This move reflects Steam’s commitment to consumer protection and transparency. It is a positive step towards ensuring that gamers are aware of their rights and the potential limitations of digital game ownership.
Electric Scooters
Acer to Showcase Cutting-Edge Tech and AI at GITEX 2024
Acer Middle East returns to GITEX Global this October with a wide range of tech innovations and solutions that are sure to impress tech enthusiasts and visitors alike. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14th – 18th October 2024, visitors will be able to discover the latest in Artificial Intelligence, amongst other innovations from Acer’s diverse range of cutting-edge products for education, gaming, mobility, sustainability, business and more.
Acer is committed to creating an impact at GITEX as the event brings together the world’s brightest minds from across the tech industry from more than 170 countries. Through their participation in the event, Acer aims to continue to build and strengthen relationships with clients, while also showcasing their latest technologies and product ranges.
Commenting on the upcoming exhibition, Michele Montecchio, General Manager at Acer Middle East said: “We are excited to showcase our latest innovations, solutions and AI technologies alongside some of the largest tech giants that exist today.”
Visitors to GITEX will have the opportunity to experience Acer’s latest range of products through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences at the tech brand’s interactive stand. Showcasing something for everyone, products on display from Acer will include a wide selection of outstanding tech innovations across a variety of categories.
E-Mobility
The Predator Extreme PES017, a daring E Scooter with a bold design built for adventure and exploration.
AI Laptops
Acer’s new Swift AI Copilot+ PCs are available with a variety of processors, including Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2). These laptops utilize greater AI processing power and performance without compromise. Whether creating, working, or streaming – these Copilot+ PCs streamline daily tasks and workloads more efficiently and enable Acer’s on-device AI applications to help enhance users’ digital experiences.
Education and Business
The Chromebook Plus 515 is designed to empower productivity, efficiency, and multitasking. Featuring a powerful processor, a 1080p webcam, multiple connectivity ports, a fast-charging 10-hour-life battery, military-grade durability and built-in AI apps, this 15-inch Chromebook Plus is perfect for work and play, while withstanding daily wear and tear.
The new ultra-thin-and-light Acer TravelMate P614 AI laptop is designed and built purposefully for commercial organizations, offering exceptional performance, mobility and AI capabilities. With its long battery life, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and MIL-STD 810H durability, it’s ideal for professionals who work in a hybrid setting.
Gaming
The newly introduced Acer Nitro Blaze 7 is a powerful and portable handheld AI gaming device that delivers lightning-fast performance and efficiency for everyday gaming and entertainment on the go. Gamers can expect elevated efficiency and support for on-device AI-powered capabilities, real-time graphical upscaling and lag-free experiences. This handheld design allows users to easily slide the device into their bags or pockets for instant gaming wherever they are.
The Predator XB273K V5 Monitor has a crisp 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, a smooth 160 Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast response time of up to 0.5 ms (GTG). It’s sure to deliver flawless gameplay and stunning clarity.
Tech Innovations
The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes is a multifaceted and intuitive 3D camera suitable for business and lifestyle users alike. Featuring 8MP per eye resolution, a selfie mirror, and a weatherproof design, users can create 3D content, stream live, and join meetings in 3 Dimensions.
For connectivity needs, the Acer Wave 7 Wi-Fi 7 mesh router creates a robust and secure high-speed network connection designed for modern living. It is the fastest and most seamless solution to achieve uninterrupted streaming, gaming, and browsing from any corner of your home or workspace.
Visit Acer’s stand at GITEX Global, at Hall 3, STAND NO: H3-C20 from 14 – 18 October 2024 at The Dubai World Trade Centre.
Events
GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region
GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.
The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.
GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”
Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”
GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.