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The Steam Machine may still be a long way off, so these are the accessories I'd use to make a Steam Deck workaround
This article explores accessories that can enhance the Steam Deck experience, offering a workaround for the delayed Steam Machine. It highlights docks, controllers, keyboards, and mice that can transform the handheld into a more versatile gaming setup for big-screen play.
The GameSir X5s is a solid budget mobile controller you can also use with the Nintendo Switch 2
The GameSir X5s is a budget-friendly mobile controller that offers broad compatibility with iOS, Android, PC, and Nintendo Switch devices for $49.99. While it features Hall Effect sticks and comfortable grips, its offset stick layout and lack of back buttons are notable drawbacks, making it best suited for newcomers or casual mobile gamers.
Steam Users Baffled by Mysterious $680 Item on Platform
Steam users are baffled by a mysterious item listed for $680 on the platform's marketplace, sparking widespread discussion and speculation within the community. The lack of transparency surrounding this high price tag has raised concerns about user experience and the need for clearer labeling of digital goods and services on Steam.
Valve May Soon Add FPS Estimator to Steam Before Purchase
Valve may be developing a new feature for Steam that estimates a game's framerate (FPS) before purchase. This tool would use data from similar PC hardware configurations to provide users with an expected performance range, potentially aiding purchase decisions for players with mid-range or older systems. The feature is currently unconfirmed and based on backend findings.
Steam could soon start telling you how many FPS you can expect in games before buying them
Valve is reportedly developing a new feature for Steam that will allow users to see estimated frames per second (FPS) for games based on other users' data and their own PC configurations before making a purchase. This feature aims to provide better performance expectations and potentially reduce negative reviews related to technical issues.
Steam Planning FPS Estimates?
A theory based on Steam client source code suggests Valve may be planning to implement FPS estimates for games on the platform. This potential feature was noted in a ResetEra post, with details also highlighted by TechSpot.
'We Were Forced to Change': Sony CEO Outlines Shift to Entertainment, and Says PS5 Must Be the Best Place to Play
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined the company's strategic shift from consumer electronics to entertainment, which now accounts for over 60% of its revenue. He emphasized that PlayStation must remain the premier platform for both players and publishers. Despite this focus, Totoki admitted he is not a big gamer himself but enjoys music and TV dramas.
Wine 11.6 is an exciting release to make modding Windows games on Linux simpler
The release of Wine 11.6 introduces improvements to game modding on Linux, notably by altering DLL load order heuristics. This change aims to simplify the process of running mods for Windows games on Linux and SteamOS, potentially reducing the need for workarounds. Valve is expected to integrate these changes into Proton, benefiting Steam users.
Terminal War: An Indie Shooter Inspired by The Last of Us 2 Factions - GameHaunt
Terminal War is an upcoming indie tactical third-person shooter targeting PC via Steam Early Access, with a planned development cycle of 12 to 18 months. The game emphasizes slow, realistic combat and teamwork over fast-paced action, featuring 4v4 multiplayer matches in a war-torn 1990s America. Developers aim to provide a more strategic experience than mainstream shooters like Call of Duty and Apex Legends.
It seems PlayStation is scrubbing any mention of ‘PC’ from its websites—gee I wonder why
Sony appears to be removing mentions of PC from its PlayStation Studios website descriptions, shifting focus back to console exclusivity. This move follows rumors that the company is distancing itself from the PC market, contrasting with Xbox's strategy and Steam's expansion.
Valve recently confirmed Steam game pricing updates across different regions
Valve has announced updates to Steam's regional pricing tools for developers, aiming to simplify the process of setting prices across 37 currencies and 4 region groups. The new options include Exchange Rate Conversion, Purchasing Power Conversion, and Multi-variable Conversion, with a reminder that price increases trigger a 30-day discount cooldown.
Steam Beta adds Remote Downloads Management
Valve has introduced a new Remote Downloads Management feature to the Steam client, allowing users to manage game downloads and updates across multiple devices, including PCs and Steam Decks, from a central location. This update aims to streamline the process of preparing games for play on different systems.
Quoteworthy
A former GameStop executive, who helped develop the company's failed Steam competitor, discusses why Valve ultimately succeeded in the digital distribution market. The article explores the challenges and strategies involved in competing with Steam.
"Gabe really had a great vision": Steam became a PC gaming cornerstone because Valve built a community with "stickiness," says Nightdive chief who worked on GameStop's Steam competitor
Valve's Steam platform became a PC gaming cornerstone due to its focus on community building and accessibility for developers, according to Nightdive chief Larry Kuperman. Unlike early competitors, Steam fostered a 'sticky' ecosystem that encouraged player return and lowered the barrier to entry for indie developers, helping many stay in business.
Gabe Newell Reveals Why He Stepped Back from Valve Game Development After Portal 2
Valve co-founder Gabe Newell stepped back from hands-on game development after Portal 2 because his team's constant agreement stifled creative friction. He believed this was necessary to preserve the collaborative environment that fostered Valve's early innovative titles. While this decision explains Valve's shift towards being a platform and hardware company like Steam and the Steam Deck, it also leaves fans disappointed about the lack of new major single-player game releases.
43% of you have, or will be switching to gaming on Linux this year, but more surprising than that over a quarter of you…
A poll indicates that 29% of respondents have switched to gaming on Linux, with an additional 14% planning to do so this year, largely due to Valve's Steam Deck and the Proton compatibility layer. Key barriers to wider adoption include issues with kernel-level anti-cheat support in multiplayer games.
Valve is reportedly working on Steam Deck 2 and plans to launch it by 2028, with one big change from the original
Valve is reportedly developing a successor to the Steam Deck, tentatively named Steam Deck 2, with a potential launch by 2028. A significant change from the original is Valve's plan to use off-the-shelf processors instead of custom AMD solutions to streamline development and stay current with technology.
An architect of GameStop's long-forgotten Steam competitor explains why he thinks Valve came out on top: 'What Steam did better than anybody else was to create a community'
Former Impulse storefront architect Larry Kuperman explains Valve's success with Steam, attributing it to superior community building and a more open platform for developers. He contrasts Steam's approach with early competitors like GameStop's Impulse and Paradox's GamersGate, highlighting Steam's ability to foster indie survival and facilitate the sale of third-party games.
Game History and Preservation
GOG has released optimized ports of the original PC Resident Evil trilogy on Steam, making these classic titles more accessible. This move highlights ongoing efforts in game preservation, ensuring older games can be played on modern platforms.
Linux has gotten a 3% usage bump in a month, latest Steam hardware survey suggests - though, it's still miles off Windows
The latest Steam hardware survey indicates a slight increase in Linux usage among gamers, reaching 5.33% in March, a jump from 2.23% in February. Despite this growth, Linux usage remains significantly lower than Windows, which holds 92.33% of the market share. Arch Linux, Linux Mint, and Ubuntu Core are the leading Linux variants mentioned.
