How to hide News screen?

[Jajo]

I could swear there was an option, to have the news (screen) hidden by default at game start, before patch 1.1 (or am I mistaken?).

Either way, I'm missing it, since I find being greeted by the news screen quite invasive and aesthetically displeasing.

 

I understand that it can be very handy, but I already have a web browser and an email client and I therefore really do not need nor want a third venue to contact me about the game. Especially in such an involuntary and immersion breaking way.

 

EDIT: Rephrased for clarity.

Edited June 8, 2018 by Jajo

[Ger]

There is a small tab on the left edge of the news screen to minimize it.

[Jajo]

There is a small tab on the left edge of the news screen to minimize it.

Yeah, I know that, but I'd like to have it minimized by default.

Ideally I would want to not be greeted by advertisements when launching a game...

[Lexx]

Yeah, especially since it seems to be kinda bugged with the latest patch. At least for me it's covering parts of the menu on startup.

[fortuntek]

You're not mistaken, there WAS an option in the menu to disable it before. And they removed it (it wasn't working)

[wolfrider100]

Yeah I too was looking for the option to hide the news, since the news feed is taking up

 

half my screen at the movement. It seems the hide news option was removed in patch 1.1.

Edited June 10, 2018 by wolfrider100

[Dr. Explosion]

They definitely removed the option to have it off by default. I don't really give a flying fig newton about their "news" function because I spend entirely too much time online and probably already know about all the stuff the feed is telling me about. I just want to play the game, I don't need a huge frelling ad telling me about the DLC I already bought/downloaded.

Edited June 9, 2018 by Dr. Explosion

[Boeroer]

The best part is that it shows me stuff that I'm supposed download - but I have already done that, so what's the point...?

[Jajo]

Yeah, that makes it even more inane.

They could perhaps use an icon at the bottom, like it is for listing DLCs. Make it glow or something, if there's BREAKING NEWS.

[Silent Winter]

Gah, MY EYES!!

Just updated Deadfire and like you, the news screen is now unhidden by default.  Not only that, it's HUGE and cuts across my options menu.  I can thankfully minimize it but I'd rather get rid of it altogether (I'm not even online on my gaming machine so it's not like I can click on any of the 'news' (I already know about) anyway).

 

Dear Obs - please reinstate the news-hider option

[Tigranes]

Yeah, it sucks. It's garish to have all the ads and spam covering the entire screen - it's like a pop up ad on their own software.

[Mallard]

I propose that Obsidian implement a small icon of a kraken, with googly eyes, in the lower right corner instead. Named "Shippy", he can dispense the breaking news and other helpful tips:

 

"I see you want to create a custom history. Would you like my help with the format?"

 

"Hello, I'm Shippy. Did you know you can click on the News tab to hide or expand it?"

 

I would honestly prefer Shippy to the current situation...

[Wormerine]

I propose that Obsidian implement a small icon of a kraken, with googly eyes, in the lower right corner instead. Named "Shippy", he can dispense the breaking news and other helpful tips:

"I see you want to create a custom history. Would you like my help with the format?"

"Hello, I'm Shippy. Did you know you can click on the News tab to hide or expand it?"

I would honestly prefer Shippy to the current situation...

Nimnok would do.

[BigJ]

To quote Silent Winter, "Gah, MY EYES!"

​

While I don't appreciate getting adverts (not interested in the latest news either) in games, I can tolerate them if they are unobtrusively displayed. This implementation is just hideous! By default I usually block single player games from connecting to the internet so it's not a big deal. But I'm still stuck with this huge window.

​

​Obsidian, if you're going force this on me, at least don't make it an eyesore please. Thanks

[Yonjuro]

I propose that Obsidian implement a small icon of a kraken, with googly eyes, in the lower right corner instead. Named "Shippy", he can dispense the breaking news and other helpful tips:

 

"I see you want to create a custom history. Would you like my help with the format?"

 

"Hello, I'm Shippy. Did you know you can click on the News tab to hide or expand it?"

 

I would honestly prefer Shippy to the current situation...

 

Heh. "I noticed that you just had your entire party wiped out. Would you like me to reduce the difficulty for you?"

[AngryFan]

Really this forum post is this old!!! And the News is still a ****ing thing. **** this game. I should have read this first before buying. Things like this piss me off to no end. I will not be buying POE 3. If that is a thing. Mainly because of the **** news tab. **** obsidian for this.

[asnjas]

The devs advertising there own stuff through a game they made, you bought,support and are interested in. I can image if ads pop up outside elsewhere but in yhe very game they made? Cut em a break.

 

Not to mention ive seen ads for the turn based updates and patches everyone always asks about. Turn off news so you can ask the very question here.

Edited March 30, 2019 by asnjas

[Boeroer]

Really this forum post is this old!!! And the News is still a ****ing thing. **** this game. I should have read this first before buying. Things like this piss me off to no end. I will not be buying POE 3. If that is a thing. Mainly because of the **** news tab. **** obsidian for this.

Please work on your mental issues with a professional threapist. Preferably one with a decent screaming room. We are too fragile and sensitive to carry that burden. We also are all very, very angry for different reasons - but we secretly and decently scream into our pillows. With lots of dignity...

[Phenomenum]

Honestly, i agreed with this guy (though i don't admire his manners) that News tab should be hidden by default. There's no news to show at this moment, and if Obsidian want to tell me something, no need to forcefully throwing it in my face.

 

P.S. I recall that i wrote something about it a long time ago (in august 2018 i think).

[xzar_monty]

Yeah, it sucks. It's garish to have all the ads and spam covering the entire screen - it's like a pop up ad on their own software.

 

This is a superb comment. Such a succinct and apt description of what it is. I wholeheartedly agree that the huge news screen displays a baffling lack of discretion and style. I mean, what were/are they thinking? We already have the game, we are already customers.

[Guest Blutwurstritter]

Heresy ! You are supposed to buy the game a second time, you ingrates !

[Boeroer]

Honestly, i agreed with this guy (though i don't admire his manners) that News tab should be hidden by default.

I think we all do. Even less reason to rant like a dockside... escort.

[llsnk]

Ok, I know I'm late to this, but here's what worked (so far) for me: I simply edited the "NewsArchive.xml" file. In my case it is located at
%userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Obsidian Entertainment\Pillars of Eternity II\
I removed the <News> and <Packages> statements, and to be safe, marked the file as a read-only.

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, llsnk said:

Ok, I know I'm late to this, but here's what worked (so far) for me: I simply edited the "NewsArchive.xml" file. In my case it is located at
%userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Obsidian Entertainment\Pillars of Eternity II\
I removed the <News> and <Packages> statements, and to be safe, marked the file as a read-only.

 

You should post here more often

[Qhuenta]

Thanks for the late post! You have saved my eyes and my sanity, with your little edit. A title screen is the first thing I see when I sit down to play a game. Ideally that screen should lead you into the game excited, delighted or otherwise ready to enjoy yourself.  The last thing I want to see when starting any game is news or advertising, even from studios I love about products they make. The less stuff competing for my visual attention the better. You've taken that bitter taste that was in my mouth away my sour mood is easing.