Total War: Three Kingdoms has been a huge success for Sega and Creative Assembly, from both a sales and critical reception point of view. In fact, it may even have been bigger than originally thought. We got a look at the first ever weekly digital chart sales for the UK, and it paints a much different picture than its physical counterpoint– and Total War rules the roost.

GamesIndustry got a look at the first weekly digital UK chart, the GSD, and it puts Total War: Three Kingdoms on top, with Grand Theft Auto V in number 2. It’s a startlingly different picture than the physical sales chart. For instance, number 1 there at debut, Team Sonic Racing, didn’t even crack the top 10. According to GamesIndustry, it was number 13. It’s worth noting that the chart did not include statistics from Nintendo (along with Bethesda and Konami opting out), and that could help explain the huge disconnect without the Switch version.

Still, it is quite a difference between the two lists, but it just goes to show there’s still a pretty big difference between how people purchase games physically and digitally, and that discounts can play a big impact in digital charts, as seen by the presence of Cities: Skylines, Uno, and Monopoly Plus.

You can see the top ten for the week ending May 26th below.

1. Total War: Three Kingdoms
2. Grand Theft Auto V
3. Monopoly Plus
4. Minecraft
5. FIFA 19
6. Cities:Skylines
7. Red Dead Redemption 2
8. Uno
9. F1 2018
10. Middle-Earth: Shadow of War

Out of nowhere, Avalanche Studios’ open world action adventure title Just Cause 4 is now available on Xbox Game Pass. Though it originally launched for Xbox One, PS4, and PC not too long ago in December 2018, it can now be played for $9.99 per month. Though it didn’t have the best start sales-wise, this is still a good way to try out the experience for yourself.

Just Cause 4 adds a few new additions to the series’ formula, particularly with extreme weather phenomena like tornadoes and lightning storms that can be used against your foes. Otherwise, it’s another massive world that you can grapple around and wipe out heaps of enemies in one fell swoop. The environmental variety and sheer range of things to do is also nice.

You can read up on Just Cause 4 in our official review here. As for Xbox Game Pass, it currently holds over 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles that can be downloaded and played as long as you’re a subscriber. First-party titles like Crackdown 3 and Forza Horizon 4 are also available on it- from launch itself.

LEGO Batman 2 is also available on Game Pass, and titles like F1 2018 have been teased. Stay tuned for more information when other new games arrive.

March 7 has come early. Just Cause 4 and LEGO Batman 2 are available now + more coming soon. pic.twitter.com/rxLq6SNlb4

— Xbox Game Pass (@XboxGamePass) March 6, 2019

While DirectX 12 support hasn’t taken off to the extent that many may have expected it to, PC games still sometimes end up having DirectX 12 forks for Windows 10 users who are interested. The latest game to do that is F1 2018, which just launched a few months ago.

The DirectX 12 version of the game is still technically available in beta (which means it may not run as well as expected; it may not even run as well as the non DirectX 12 branch of the game). Codemasters says that high end PCs should be able to get faster performance with this fork of the game, but others may actually find it being more inefficient.

If you want to access the beta, right click on the game in your library, and select Properties. Go to “Beta”, enter the branch password 244EwzNFQkfnqf4Xc6GTmgsPtT6LAbYn and press “Check Code”. Close the window, and install it, and you should be good to go.

F1 2018 is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Via DSO Gaming.

Codemasters has released a brand new update for their accomplished racing sim game, F1 2018. Update 1.10 is available now on PC, and brings a multitude of gameplay improvements and enhancements to the table, including redressals to multiple complaints from fans about some of the more nuanced mechanics in the game.

Improvements include ones made to your co-commentator, as well as to AI drivers (who previously would just keep racing if they had a puncture, instead of taking a pit stop like any sane driver would). Interviews with Claire also see multiple improvements, and, in what is likely to be the improvement that does the most to maintain the space-time continuum, you can no longer switch to reverse gear while driving forwards. This is something that, for some reason, you could do until now.

You can see the full patch notes for yourself below (as provided by Codemasters), and if you’re on the fence about the game, you can also check out our review to see if it’s something you want to get on board with. F1 2018 is out now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The update is out now on PC, and will be on consoles shortly.

• Players will no longer be incorrectly overtaken under the Safety Car when they have high engine or gearbox wear.
• Fixed an issue that caused AI drivers with a puncture to not pit.
• Numerous improvements to the Interviews with Claire.
• Co commentator commentary should now always play correctly.
• Fixed an issue with the track rubbering in and marbles not working.
• Players will no longer be able to select reverse gear while driving forwards.
• Updated the Power Unit & Gearbox Management tutorial audio in German to correctly reflect the 2018 rules.
• Fixed players occasionally getting stuck waiting for players in Multiplayer when loading in to OSQ.

Just like in the UK, F1 2018 debuted at the top of the sales charts in France the week of its release (weekly sales charts for games in France are staggered by a week). And, very unlike the UK, in spite of F1 2018 shooting its way to the top, the top five charts continue to be dominated by Nintendo and Nintendo games, with three out of the top five games being Switch exclusives.

This includes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at second place, Super Mario Odyssey at fourth place, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at fifth place, with Shenmue 1 and 2 HD debuting in third place. The top five is all we get from France, so that’s all the information that we have—but at the very least, it is clear that F1 and Shenmue had good launches there, and that Nintendo’s evergreen games continue to do strongly (as would be expected from them).

You can check out the full charts below.

Top 5 Bestselling Games (overall)

1. F1 2018 (PS4)
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (NSW)
3. Shenmue I & II (PS4)
4. Super Mario Odyssey (NSW)
5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (NSW)

Crash Bandicoot’s reign at the top of the UK charts was ended last week by F1 2018, which usurped it to claim the top spot; this week, F1 continues to hold on to the top spot in the latest UK charts, with Konami’s PES 2019 taking second place.

Crash doesn’t get third place either, with Rockstar’s freak of nature Grand Theft Auto 5 taking up that spot instead. Crash instead comes in at fourth place, with the newly launched Yakuza Kiwami 2 taking up fifth place. Yes, we live in a world where a Yakuza game charts in the top five in the U.K. Truly, this is the best timeline.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe takes up the sixth spot, while Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate debuts in ninth place. Most of the typical Nintendo evergreens chart outside the top 10 this time around, with Super Mario Odyssey showing up at number 15.

You can check out the full charts for yourself below.

1. (1) F1 2018
2. (New) PES 2019
3. (4) Grand Theft Auto V
4. (3) Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy 
5. (New) Yakuza Kiwami 2
6. (5) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
7. (11) PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
8. (6) God of War
9. (New) Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
10. (10) FIFA 18
11. (New) Firewall Zero Hour
12. (7) LEGO The Incredibles 
13. (24) PlayStation VR Worlds
14. (8) Call of Duty: WW2
15. (13) Super Mario Odyssey
16. (New) Strange Brigade
17. (31) The Sims 4
18. (15) LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
19. (12) Far Cry 5
20. (14) Minecraft

Crash Bandicoot: N.Sane Trilogy‘s reign at the top has come to an end at last, with Codemasters’ F1 2018 having knocked it off its lofty perch. Gfk-Tracker reports that last week, F1 2018 was the highest selling game in the UK, followed by Shenmue 1 & 2 HD– which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The UK always had a fondness for Sega (indeed, even as Sega struggled in the US and Japan with the Master System, in the UK they were the dominant console).

On the individual formats chart as well, F1 breaks Mario Kart 8 Deluxe‘s streak, with the PS4 and Xbox One versions each taking the top two spots respectively.

Back on the all formats chart, Crash takes third place this week instead, with GTA 5 being moved down to fourth place, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe rounding out the top five. God of War, Call of Duty: WW2, FIFA 18, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild all continue to leg it out as well in the top 20.

You can see the full charts below.

All Format Charts

1. (NE) F1 2018 (CODEMASTERS)
2. (NE) SHENMUE I & II (SEGA)
3. (01) CRASH BANDICOOT N.SANE TRILOGY (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
4. (02) GRAND THEFT AUTO V (TAKE 2)
5. (04) MARIO KART 8 DELUXE (NINTENDO)
6. (06) GOD OF WAR (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
7. (05) LEGO THE INCREDIBLES (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
8. (07) CALL OF DUTY: WWII (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
9. (15) THE CREW 2 (UBISOFT)
10. (29) FIFA 18 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
11. (14) PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (MICROSOFT)
12. (22) FAR CRY 5 (UBISOFT)
13. (08) SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY (NINTENDO)
14. (13) MINECRAFT (NINTENDO)
15. (11) LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES 2 (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
16. (09) THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD (NINTENDO)
17. (27) MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION (MICROSOFT)
18. (17) OVERWATCH: GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
19. (36) DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
20. (32) SEA OF THIEVES (MICROSOFT)

Individual Formats 

1. (NE) PS4 F1 2018 (CODEMASTERS)
2. (NE) XBO F1 2018 (CODEMASTERS)
3. (NE) PS4 SHENMUE I & II (SEGA)
4. (02) NSW MARIO KART 8 DELUXE (NINTENDO)
5. (03) PS4 GOD OF WAR (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
6. (05) PS4 GRAND THEFT AUTO V (TAKE 2)
7. (11) XBO PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (MICROSOFT)
8. (04) XBO CRASH BANDICOOT N.SANE TRILOGY (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
9. (NE) XBO SHENMUE I & II (SEGA)
10. (07) NSW SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY (NINTENDO)
11. (09) XBO GRAND THEFT AUTO V (TAKE 2)
12. (06) NSW CRASH BANDICOOT N.SANE TRILOGY (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
13.  (10) NSW MINECRAFT (NINTENDO)
14. (08) NSW THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD (NINTENDO)
15. (13) PS4 CALL OF DUTY: WWII (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
16. (30) PS4 DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
17. (21) XBO MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION (MICROSOFT)
18. (25) XBO SEA OF THIEVES (MICROSOFT)
19. (12) NSW MARIO TENNIS ACES (NINTENDO)
20. (35) PS4 PLAYSTATION VR WORLDS (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)

F1 2018 runs fine  on PC for the most part without any major hiccups. However, some problems present in this version of the game could make it unplayable for some of you out there. If you’ve been facing any such problems with the game, then this guide is here to help  you out.

First, the specs:

Minimum Requirements: 

• CPU: Intel Core i3 2130 or AMD FX 4300
• CPU SPEED: Info
• RAM: 8 GB
• OS: 64bit Versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
• VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GT 640 or AMD HD 7750
• SOUND CARD: DirectX Compatible Soundcard
• FREE DISK SPACE: 50 GB

Recommended Requirements:

• CPU: Intel Core i5 8600K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
• CPU SPEED: Info
• RAM: 8 GB
• OS: 64bit Versions of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
• VIDEO CARD: Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580
• SOUND CARD: DirectX Compatible Soundcard
• FREE DISK SPACE: 50 GB

Please be advised that the following methods are to be used at the sole discretion of the system owner. GamingBolt or its staff members take no responsibility for problems that may arise or issues that may occur from trying the below. Always remember that official support is always the best support. 

GENERAL FIXES

Generally speaking, some basic troubleshooting tips should always help you resolve whatever issue you are facing with the PC version of any game. If you are running into problems, maybe first attempt the following steps, and if they don’t work out, look into some of the more specific fixes we have below.

• Make sure the drivers on your PC are updated
• If you have two GPUs, make sure you are using the discrete GPU instead of the integrated one
• Set F1 2018’s priority to High in the Task Manager Turn off any background programs, including firewalls, chat clients, video recorders, and overlays
• Try lowering visual settings on the game to see if that improves game performance
• Make sure you have Windows updated before you attempt to play F1 2018.

MISSING .DLL FILE

If an error pops up when trying to run the game stating that you are missing a ‘.dll’ file, then you can solve the problem quickly. All you have to do is Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 and the problem should be resolved.

BLACK SCREEN ERROR

When you run the game, if the game launches into a black screen, then the issue is caused because the game’s resolution is set higher than your monitor’s native resolution. To fix the issue, just press ALT + ENTER to  bring the game to windowed mode, and then change the game’s resolution so that it matches the resolution of your monitor.

D3D DEVICE HAS BEEN REMOVED ERROR

Some players have reported encountering this error when trying to run the game. The problem is most likely caused because of an overclocked GPU. To fix the issue, just make sure that your GPU is not overclocked. If the problem persists, it is probably because your GPU driver isn’t compatible with the game, so try updating the GPU driver and see if that fixes the problem.

Note: Given that the wide range of PC hardware out there, the fixes mentioned here may or may not work for you. But it’s worth giving them a shot since these have worked for players who own the PC version of Madden NFL 19.

However, with F1 2018, the developers seem to have made major strides not only in terms of gameplay mechanics but also in updating EGO Engine 4.0’s support for physical based lighting, texture materials and audio quality. The very first thing which you will notice upon starting your first race will be the impressive improvements to the lighting and atmospheric systems. The stadiums look immaculately detailed as shadows form dynamically and react accordingly in relation to the time of the day. Compared to some of the previous entries in the series, F1 2018 uses a softer looking lighting tech giving the final rendered image a rather smooth look. This effect immediately makes the game standout from F1 2017 as it totally ditches the slightly higher contrasted look and feel of the previous entries.

F1 2018 also seems like the first entry in the series that is fully gracing the physical based rendering pipeline which allows different materials to react accordingly to the intensity of the light falling on them. So, different environmental objects like the metal fencing, tarmac, the track, foliage or even the cars themselves and driver clothes have lighting models that closely resemble to their real-life counterparts. Couple this feature with the improved lighting system, and you have a game that sometimes reels on borderline photorealism at times.

Another minor feature that F1 2018 improves upon is the environmental detail. Tress look fuller thanks to an improved shader model, density of grass looks just about right across all tracks and gravel feel like each individual object instead of some flat texture pack. These improvements when seen from the top camera view during the beginning of race help in delivering a cohesive visual experience.

Next up is the weather system and thanks to the changes we mentioned above, the current system just looks absolutely fantastic. As with previous entries, F1 2018 allows you to change several weather parameters such as specific times, light rain, heavy rain, overcast and more. The physics related to these conditions have most likely not been touched at all given how stable it already was but thanks to the updated lighting framework, speeding down at 200 miles per hour in Canada during rain was nothing short of a phenomenal experience. Also, if you are a fan of Formula One, you just can’t ignore the pleasant sight of heat haze during the starting sequence or the leading car spraying ground water on your helmet? All of this and more adds to the authenticity of the sport.

Another point of improvement is the game’s audio system. The game now uses an overhauled reverb system and is no longer the using positioned system. This allows the player to clearly differentiate the internal sounds from the external ones. Furthermore, the echo and reflection systems have been improved as well, allowing the player to use the sound as an indicator whenever they are driving too close to the gravel or the metal fences.

Among the host of improvements this year, F1 2018 largely falters yet again in its character model and animation department. Now don’t get us wrong, they look better than last year but it’s still not where it should be. The driver characters look alright for the most part but it’s the NPCs that the engine falters in. Our assumption is that animations are at the bottom of the “to improve” list at Codemasters and although we understand why the developers may not have pushed it as per our expectations, it’s still an aspect of the game that can drive ahead the immersion factor.

So, that’s it as far visual improvements are concerned but how does the game fare on the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X? Well, as expected both versions run at 4K resolution but there seems to be a checkerboard implementation on consoles. Both versions target 60fps but during the heavy CPU based sequences like a ton of cars at once along with heavy rain can hit performance on the PS4 Pro. The Xbox One X on the other hand is extremely stable with little to no frame rate drops. We also witnessed screen tearing on both versions but it was more prominent on Sony’s machine. So, overall as far as performance goes, the Xbox One X manages to deliver a better frame rate. Other than the performance differences, the Xbox One X also benefits from better shadow quality but other aspects like object rendering, filtering quality and material quality all remain consistent across both versions. So, as expected Microsoft’s Xbox One X delivers the better deal here but the PS4 Pro version isn’t that far behind.

F1 2018 marks a shift in the franchise’s technical achievements. The latest entry pushes new boundaries in so many little and minor things, but as a whole it all comes together to deliver what is the best looking F1 game of all time. Of course, there are things we want the game improve on and it’s no way close to the behemoths like Forza and Gran Turismo in terms of graphics tech but this first step will go a long way in delivering not only an authentic Formula One racing experience in the future but also a bedazzling one.

F1 2018 launches later this week, and ahead of that release, developers and publishers Codemasters have released the final developer diary for the game. This developer diary focuses specifically on the art and audio in the game- the latter is especially important to completely nail in a game trying to be authentic to motorsports, as any discerning automobile fan can tell if your sound design is off for cars.

The former is especially important for F1 2018, because, as I noted in my review for the game, while the game is trying its very best to be as authentic as is possible, it falters on the graphical front- the technical realization of its visuals simply isn’t as great as many other similar games manage. A strong art style can compensate for technical shortcomings in this area, however- so it’s good to see that this was a focus for Codemasters during the development of the game, too.

F1 2018 launches on August 24 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.