Steam Deck
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Deck.
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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced opens to 2 million sales on launch day
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has achieved strong launch day sales, selling two million copies and becoming the top-ranked game on Twitch. The game also set a new record for the Assassin's Creed franchise on Steam with nearly 100,000 concurrent players. Despite praise for its updated graphics and open world, some players have expressed concerns about cosmetic microtransactions in the single-player experience.
Handheld gaming PCs are cooked
The market for handheld gaming PCs is facing significant challenges due to rising component prices, particularly memory. Devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck are becoming less affordable, with even budget options like the Steam Deck OLED seeing substantial price increases. This trend, coupled with the strong performance of consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2, suggests a potentially shrinking market for high-performance handheld gaming PCs, possibly relegating them to a niche for enthusiasts with deep pockets.
After 17 years, a developer has finally revived the dream of Hannah Montana Linux, an open source operating system…
Developer Noah Cagle has revived Hannah Montana Linux, an open-source operating system based on Debian and KDE Plasma. The updated OS features a pink and purple theme, custom icons, and a remastered wallpaper, aiming to be a fully functional daily driver. While capable of running games through compatibility layers like Proton, gaming on Linux is noted to be better with AMD GPUs due to Nvidia's driver support.
Steam has reportedly made Valve more money in the first half of 2026 than it did in all of 2020 – $11.1 billion…
Steam reportedly generated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, surpassing its total revenue for 2020. This growth is attributed to a surge in Asian players, higher game prices, viral co-op titles, and publishers returning to the platform. Despite strong sales of new releases, revenue from games launched in 2026 constitutes a smaller percentage of overall sales compared to previous years.
"This time, we pay tribute to a true icon" - Ayaneo teases the OG Game Boy Advance remake I've been…
Ayaneo has teased a new handheld device called the Konkr Pocket Advance, which appears to be a remake of the original Game Boy Advance. The company aims to pay tribute to the iconic 2001 handheld, focusing on its classic design and portable gaming experience. Details regarding price, availability, and exact specifications are still scarce, but fans are hoping for an affordable device that captures the essence of the original Game Boy Advance with modern enhancements.
Valve's Steam Frame launch looks imminent, with new 'Great on Frame' category spotted
Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, appears to be nearing its launch, with a new 'Great on Frame' category appearing on the Steam store. This category, currently featuring four games including Valve's own Portal 2 and The Lab, suggests official compatibility verification. Shipments of Steam Frames have reportedly begun arriving in the US, further indicating an imminent release alongside the Steam Machine this summer.
Steam Machine Verified medals appear on games' store pages overnight, as if left by the Compatibility Fairy
Valve has enabled the display of Steam Machine game compatibility ratings on store pages, mirroring the system used for the Steam Deck. Games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Palworld have received 'Verified' status, while Dota 2 is marked as 'Playable' due to minor issues. This update aims to clarify how Windows games will perform on Valve's SteamOS hardware.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Launches Worldwide on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC | Invision Game
Ubisoft has launched Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 title, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, the game features rebuilt visuals, enhanced combat, stealth, parkour, and naval gameplay, along with new narrative content. It is also Steam Deck Verified and offers both Standard and Deluxe editions, with a Collector's Edition available.
ASSASSIN’S CREED™ BLACK FLAG RESYNCED IS AVAILABLE NOW
Ubisoft announced that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the 2013 title, is now available worldwide on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, the game features updated visuals and gameplay mechanics, including enhanced combat and naval systems, and adds new narrative content. The remake is set during the Golden Age of Piracy and follows Edward Kenway.
Lenovo just nuked its retro handheld that sellers packed with illegal ROMs, but unbranded versions are still haunting…
Lenovo has officially discontinued its controversial G02 retro handheld, which was found to be pre-loaded with potentially illegal ROMs by third-party sellers. While Lenovo claims the device was not intended for sale outside China and denies sanctioning such sales, unbranded versions of the device are still appearing on marketplaces. This situation highlights the often unregulated nature of the retro handheld market.
Nintendo confirms Switch 1 consoles will be withdrawn from Europe following EU law change on batteries
Nintendo will discontinue sales of its original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and OLED models in Europe starting mid-February 2027 due to upcoming EU battery regulations requiring user-replaceable batteries. While revised products with replaceable batteries will be rolled out from summer 2026, several Nintendo accessories will not receive such updates. The company plans to continue selling Switch hardware outside of European business regions.
The Viture Beast XR Glasses Made Me Question Whether I Need A TV For Gaming
The Viture Beast XR glasses offer an impressive portable gaming solution with dual 1920x1200p Sony Micro-OLED displays and a 120Hz refresh rate, projecting a 174-inch virtual screen. While requiring an additional dock for consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, they provide a crisp, vibrant image and comfortable wear, though some chromatic aberration and warmth are present.
"Dracula is King of England" - New immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 announced by Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone developer Bithell Games
Bithell Games, known for Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone, has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new immersive vampire sim. Players will act as an assassin for Dracula, the King of England, using dark gifts to eliminate enemies. The game features a top-down tactical perspective with time management mechanics and will be available on Steam Deck.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced can run smoothly aboard both Steam Deck and Steam Machine - with the right settings
This article analyzes the performance of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced on the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, detailing optimal settings for smooth gameplay. While the Steam Deck requires careful adjustment of graphics options and upscaling for playable framerates, the Steam Machine demonstrates surprisingly strong performance at 1080p, even rivaling higher-end desktop GPUs in some scenarios.
Valve's magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil
Valve has released Proton 11, an updated version of its compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux platforms like the Steam Deck. Rebased on Wine 11, this update brings improved support for numerous games, including Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Dino Crisis, and Metal Gear Survive, along with various bug fixes and enhancements.
Digimon Story Time Stranger is a handheld RPG delight on Switch 2
Digimon Story: Time Stranger, originally released in 2025, has now arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, offering a delightful handheld RPG experience. This port by Bandai Namco is an excellent rendition, featuring both Quality and Performance modes, with the latter targeting 60 fps. The game excels in its deep monster-collecting and evolution systems, making it a must-play for fans of the genre, especially on a true handheld device.
Path of Exile 2 for Busy Adults | TAG
This guide offers strategies for busy adults to engage with Path of Exile 2, a demanding ARPG with frequent league resets. It recommends focusing on the campaign and standard league progression, skipping competitive elements like ladder climbing and complex trade optimization. The article suggests a minimum time commitment of 6-8 hours per week for a satisfying experience and outlines realistic paths for new and returning players, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing core skill gems and basic atlas progression.
No, you can't build your own Steam Machine, but you can cry trying
This article clarifies that users cannot build their own Steam Machine due to custom components and size constraints, contrasting it with traditional DIY PCs and modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It highlights Valve's unique engineering approach for the compact Steam Machine, which uses semi-custom AMD chips for performance comparable to current-gen consoles.
I beat the Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake and 2013 original back-to-back, here's my review
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced is a faithful remake that improves visuals and some mechanics but ultimately loses the essence of the original. While the new Anvil engine offers a more dynamic world, changes to combat, stealth, and the removal of the present-day Abstergo narrative detract from the experience. Despite its polish and graphical fidelity, the remake is considered inessential compared to the 2013 original.
There Is No Reason To Buy Another PlayStation Or Xbox
The author argues that upcoming PlayStation and Xbox consoles will be too expensive and lack compelling reasons to purchase, especially with the shift to digital-only distribution. Concerns are raised about the impact on the used games market, accessibility for players with poor internet, and the overall viability of the console market as attention shifts to mobile and other forms of entertainment.